Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – Aurélie Richard added to France’s growing medal haul at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Paralympic Winter Games on Thursday, securing a bronze medal in the women’s standing giant slalom. The 20-year-old French skier finished with a time that placed her behind Sweden’s Ebba Aarsjoe, who took gold, and Russia’s Varvara Voronchikhina, who claimed silver. This marks Richard’s fourth medal of the Games, and the tenth overall for the French delegation.
Richard, competing as the sole French athlete in the event on Thursday, finished more than four seconds behind Aarsjoe, a dominant force in para-alpine skiing who previously won gold in the downhill competition. Voronchikhina, the Super-G gold medalist, secured the silver. Despite not reaching the top of the podium, Richard’s performance continues a remarkable debut Paralympic Games for the young athlete from Gap, in the Hautes-Alpes region of France.
A Medal Collection in the Making
This bronze medal adds to a remarkable collection for Richard, who has already secured three silver medals in these Games: in the downhill, Super-G, and alpine combined events. Her consistent performance has quickly established her as a rising star in para-alpine skiing. The French delegation’s ten-medal total reflects a strong showing across multiple disciplines at the Milan-Cortina Games.
“I’m a little disappointed with myself,” Richard told France TV after the race, as reported by L’Équipe. “I didn’t ski at my best level. I’m going to endeavor to refocus for the second run.” (The second run was scheduled for approximately 12:50 local time.)
A Rising Star with a Compelling Story
Aurélie Richard was born with agenesis of the left forearm, a condition that has not hindered her pursuit of excellence in para-alpine skiing. She first gained international recognition at the 2023 World Para Alpine Skiing Championships, where she won silver medals in both the downhill and slalom, and a bronze in the alpine combined.
Despite a torn ACL in her left knee suffered in February 2024, Richard demonstrated incredible resilience and determination to return to competition. She showcased her form at the 2025 Winter World University Games in Turin, winning gold medals in the giant slalom and Super-G standing events. Her success continued into the 2025-26 FIS Para Alpine Ski World Cup season, where she secured the crystal globe in the downhill and the overall World Cup title, solidifying her position as a top contender heading into the Paralympics.
Looking Ahead: Men’s Giant Slalom on Friday
The French team’s participation continues on Friday with the men’s giant slalom competition. Jules Segers, who won a bronze medal in Super-G, and Arthur Bauchet, the Paralympic champion in alpine combined, will be representing France in this event. Fans will be eager to see if they can add to the nation’s medal count.
Richard will conclude her Paralympic Games with the slalom competition on Saturday. Her performance throughout these Games has already captivated audiences and established her as a key figure in French para-sport.
What So for France
France’s strong performance at the Milan-Cortina Paralympics underscores the nation’s commitment to para-sport and the dedication of its athletes. Reaching ten medals is a significant milestone, and the team will undoubtedly be aiming for further success in the remaining events. The success of athletes like Aurélie Richard serves as an inspiration to aspiring para-athletes across the country and beyond.
The Milan-Cortina Paralympic Winter Games continue to deliver compelling stories of athleticism, determination, and resilience. Aurélie Richard’s journey, from overcoming injury to achieving Paralympic success, is a testament to the power of the human spirit.
Next Up: The men’s giant slalom takes place on Friday in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Check olympics.com/fr/milano-cortina-2026/paralympics for official schedules and results.
