MILAN CORTINA, Italy – The pursuit of a tenth Paralympic medal will have to wait for Arthur Bauchet. The French skier crashed out of the men’s Super-G at the Milan Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games on Monday morning, just 26 seconds into his run. The disappointment was palpable for Bauchet, who had been aiming for a dominant performance at these Games.
Bauchet, who secured a silver medal in the downhill event on Saturday, didn’t hide his frustration, telling France TV, “It’s just stupid to do that. You train for four years, and for it to happen at the Games, on the race you’ve prepared for four years… it’s tough.”
The 25-year-old, a triple Paralympic champion at Beijing 2022, had high hopes for the Super-G, a discipline where he finished fourth at the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing. “When you go out, everything reminds you that you’re going to have a lousy day,” Bauchet explained. “The important thing about the Games is also to demonstrate what you’re capable of, and when you fall after a few gates…”
Despite his own setback, Bauchet remained a supportive teammate, following the progress of his fellow French skiers. “I’ll be rooting for Julo (Jules Segers), hoping he stays on the podium!” he said.
Bauchet provided a quick update on his physical condition, noting a potential thumb injury. “I consider my thumb isn’t quite right,” he said. “But that doesn’t change the fact that I’ll be ready tomorrow. I’ll have even more fire in my belly!”
The next event on Bauchet’s schedule is the Super-Combined, scheduled for Tuesday morning at 9:00 AM local time (9:00 AM CET / 3:00 AM EST). He will be defending the title he won at the 2022 Beijing Paralympics.
Silver Lining Quickly Fades
The crash in the Super-G comes after a promising start to the Milan Cortina Games for Bauchet. His silver medal in the downhill on Saturday was a strong showing, but he was 61 hundredths of a second short of retaining his Paralympic title in that event. The Super-G represented a chance to add to his medal haul and potentially achieve his ambitious goal of five medals at these Games.
While the Super-G isn’t traditionally Bauchet’s strongest discipline – he has a silver medal from the 2017 World Championships in Tarvisio and a bronze from 2023 in Espot – he clearly placed significant importance on performing well. His previous Paralympic experience in the event includes a silver medal at Pyeongchang 2018 and a fourth-place finish at Beijing 2022, demonstrating his consistent competitiveness.
A Technical Error, Not a Lack of Commitment
Bauchet was quick to analyze his own mistake, attributing it to a technical error rather than a lack of effort. “It wasn’t a lack of commitment, it was a technical fault, it’s stupid to do that there,” he stated. This self-assessment suggests a momentary lapse in technique, rather than a risky or overly aggressive approach to the course.
For context, the Paralympic Winter Games Milan Cortina 2026 are being held from March 6th to March 16th, showcasing the incredible athleticism of Para athletes from around the globe. The event is a major highlight on the international sporting calendar, drawing attention to the skills and determination of competitors across various disciplines. The Super-G, a speed event combining elements of downhill and slalom, demands precision and courage from skiers navigating a challenging course.
Looking Ahead to the Super-Combined
Despite the disappointment of the Super-G crash, Bauchet remains focused on the remaining events. The Super-Combined, which combines a downhill run with a slalom run, presents a different set of challenges and opportunities. His experience and success in this discipline at previous Games build him a strong contender for another medal.
The Super-Combined will test Bauchet’s versatility and adaptability, requiring him to excel in both speed and technical skill. He’ll necessitate to quickly recover both physically and mentally from the Super-G crash to be at his best.
Fans can follow Arthur Bauchet’s progress and the rest of the Paralympic Winter Games Milan Cortina 2026 on the official Olympics website ([https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/paralympic-games](https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/paralympic-games)) and through official broadcasts and updates from France Télévisions.
The Super-Combined is set to be a thrilling event, and all eyes will be on Bauchet as he attempts to bounce back from his Super-G disappointment and defend his Paralympic title.
