Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – Arthur Bauchet of France added another gold medal to his impressive Paralympic tally Friday, winning the standing slalom giant at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. The victory marks Bauchet’s second gold of these Games and his 11th Paralympic medal solidifying his status as one of the world’s most decorated para-alpine skiers. The 25-year-classic Frenchman finished ahead of Switzerland’s Robin Cuche and Russia’s Aleksei Bugaev in a dominant performance on the challenging Tofane piste.
The scene in the finish area was particularly poignant. Moments after securing the gold, Bauchet, who lives with paraspasticity, began to tremble – a common occurrence following intense physical exertion. “It’s like I’m driving on cobblestones,” Bauchet quipped, displaying his characteristic humor in the face of a physical challenge that many would find debilitating. This tremor, a symptom of his rare genetic condition, underscores the immense physical toll his sport takes, even in moments of triumph.
Battling a Rare Condition
Bauchet’s paraspasticity causes involuntary muscle contractions and spasms, making even simple movements a struggle. The condition requires a meticulously planned physical preparation regimen, something he’s embraced for the past four years, according to his coach. “He does a lot of strength training, which he’d never done before,” explained Thomas Frey, head coach of the French para-alpine ski team. “Thanks to that, the crises are more spaced out; he only has a few per year now.”
The physical demands are immense, and the support system behind Bauchet is extensive. Frey addressed those who might question the difficulty of Bauchet’s achievements, stating, “We witness all the side effects, his crises at the finish, how much he struggles to live outside of competition, the tons of medication he takes – nine pills a day.”
A Mental Fortress
This Paralympics hadn’t started as Bauchet envisioned. After a silver medal in the downhill and a disqualification in the super-G, his goal of securing five gold medals seemed distant. However, Bauchet’s resilience shone through. “Even after his second place in the downhill and his abandonment in the super-G, he didn’t get discouraged,” Frey said. “It’s proof that mentally, he’s a monster.”
That mental fortitude is perhaps Bauchet’s greatest asset. He’s not just battling opponents on the slopes; he’s battling his own body. The victory in the slalom giant wasn’t just about skiing; it was about overcoming a condition that constantly threatens to derail his ambitions. “The giant slalom and the Games had always been a complicated story,” Bauchet said, reflecting on past disappointments. “I’ve position an end to this vicious cycle.”
A Second Gold, Eleventh Medal
Bauchet set the pace in the first run of the standing slalom giant on Friday, and he didn’t relinquish his lead in the second run. “It was so cool,” he smiled after the race. “When I came down with more than a second lead, I was thinking, ‘Yes, you’ve achieved your Games!’” The win is particularly significant as it breaks a long-standing barrier for Bauchet, who had previously only won bronze in the giant slalom at the 2022 Paralympic Games, despite numerous World Championship titles.
This latest triumph brings France’s medal count to 11 at the Milan-Cortina Games, including four golds. The French para-ski alpine team has been a dominant force, securing eight medals thanks to the performances of Bauchet and Aurélie Richard, who has also claimed multiple podium finishes. The nation is on track to potentially surpass its medal haul of 12 from the Beijing Games.
What’s Next for “The King Arthur”?
Bauchet isn’t finished yet. He will compete in the slalom on Sunday, an event in which he is the defending champion. “I’m looking forward to the slalom on Sunday, even if I’m really looking forward to the rest day,” he admitted. His competitors have good reason to be wary. The combination of his technical skill, unwavering determination, and mental toughness makes him a formidable opponent.
The story of Arthur Bauchet is more than just a tale of athletic achievement; it’s a testament to the power of the human spirit. He continues to redefine what’s possible, inspiring athletes and individuals around the world to overcome their own challenges and pursue their dreams, no matter how difficult the path may be.
Bauchet’s next challenge comes on Sunday with the slalom competition. The event is scheduled to begin at [Time to be confirmed – check official Paralympic schedule] local time ( [UTC time to be confirmed – check official Paralympic schedule]).
