Hernandez Leads French Medal Charge at Milan-Cortina Paralympic Games
MILAN-CORTINA, Italy – The Paralympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina are underway, and France is looking to build on a strong start as several athletes compete for medals on this Sunday, March 8th. All eyes will be on snowboard cross, where defending champion Cécile Hernandez will compete, alongside fellow Frenchman Maxime Montaggioni. Competition too continues in parabiathlon, with hopes for improved results after Saturday’s sprint events.
Snowboard Cross: Hernandez Aims to Continue Dominance
Cécile Hernandez, the French flag bearer, begins her quest for another Paralympic gold medal in the snowboard cross competition at 11:00 local time (UTC+1). The 51-year-old Hernandez qualified second on Saturday, demonstrating she remains a force in the sport despite her age. Hernandez previously won silver at the 2014 Sochi Games, bronze in both snowboard cross and banked slalom at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, and a gold medal in cross at the 2022 Games. She’s aiming to add to her impressive medal haul in Italy.
Montaggioni Seeks First Paralympic Podium
Joining Hernandez on the snowboard cross course is Maxime Montaggioni, who qualified in eighth position. Montaggioni previously won a banked slalom medal at a prior Paralympic Games, but was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the snowboard cross event at the last Games. He’s motivated by a new goal: to share a podium moment with his child. “My dream since always is to get a podium at the Games with my child. I’ve done 50% of the work, now I have to do the remaining 50%,” Montaggioni said, according to reports.
Parabiathlon: French Team Looks to Improve
After a challenging day in the parabiathlon sprint events on Saturday, the French team will glance to rebound in the individual 12.5km race. Benjamin Daviet finished seventh in the sprint, whereas Karl Tabouret placed twelfth. Both athletes will need to improve their performance to contend for a medal. The men’s standing race is scheduled to start at 12:30 local time (UTC+1).
Visually Impaired Parabiathlon: Chalençon and Michelon Aim for Accuracy
The visually impaired parabiathlon race is set for 14:00 local time (UTC+1). Anthony Chalençon, guided by Florian Michelon, will compete. The duo finished tenth in Saturday’s sprint, hampered by shooting difficulties (6/10). Improving their shooting accuracy will be crucial for a stronger performance in the individual race.
French Paralympic Team Overview
The French Paralympic team consists of 15 athletes, including two guides, selected by the French Paralympic and Sports Committee (CPSF). Arthur Bauchet, a triple Paralympic champion in ski, is considered a leading contender for multiple medals. Other athletes to watch include Jules Segers, Oscar Burnham, and Aurélie Richard, all showing strong form this season. Notably, the team is competing without Marie Bochet, an eight-time Paralympic champion who retired in 2022.
The selection of these athletes represents a significant moment for French Paralympic sport, with Cécile Hernandez leading the charge as flag bearer and a strong contingent of skiers and snowboarders aiming for podium finishes. The Milan-Cortina Games provide a platform for these athletes to showcase their talent and inspire audiences worldwide.
What’s Next: The parabiathlon individual races continue throughout the day, followed by further snowboard cross heats. Archysport will continue to provide updates on the French team’s progress throughout the Paralympic Games.
