Milano Cortina 2026: French Athletes Aim for Medals on Busy Friday Schedule
After two days of relatively limited competition for the French team at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics, a more packed schedule awaits on Friday, March 13th. The day will feature action in para alpine skiing and para snowboard, alongside continued competition in biathlon, offering several opportunities for French athletes to add to the medal tally.
Alpine Skiing: Bauchet Leads the Charge in Giant Slalom
The men’s and women’s giant slalom events take center stage in the alpine skiing program. All eyes will be on Arthur Bauchet in the men’s competition. Fresh off a gold medal win in the super-combined, Bauchet enters the giant slalom as the clear favorite. The 25-year-old skier is looking to add to his already impressive Paralympic medal count, having previously dominated at the 2022 Beijing Games.
Bauchet won’t be the only Frenchman vying for a spot on the podium. Oscar Burnham, Jordan Broisin, and Jules Segers will also compete in the men’s giant slalom. On the women’s side, Lou Braz-Dagand and Victor Pierrel will compete in the seated category, while Hyacinthe Deleplace will race in the visually impaired category.
Snowboard: Hernandez Eyes Historic Double, Montaggioni Defends Title
Friday also marks the return of para snowboard to the competition schedule. Cécile Hernandez, a two-time Paralympic cross champion, has the chance to make history by securing a second gold medal in the banked slalom. At 51 years old, Hernandez is demonstrating remarkable longevity and skill, having previously won a silver medal in the banked slalom at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.
In the men’s competition, Maxime Montaggioni will be looking to defend his title, won at the 2022 Beijing Paralympics. The para ski alpine and snowboard events are scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM local time (UTC+1).
Biathlon: French Team Seeks Redemption in Sprint-Pursuit
The French team will be aiming to bounce back in the biathlon events, specifically the sprint-pursuit races. After a challenging start to the biathlon program with no medals in the sprint and individual events, the French para ski de fond team has found some success. Benjamin Daviet secured a bronze medal in the sprint, and Karl Tabouret claimed gold in the 10km individual event, providing a much-needed boost.
Tabouret and Daviet, both medalists, will compete in the standing sprint-pursuit at 10:50 AM local time. Shortly after, at 11:20 AM, Anthony Chalençon, guided by Florian Michelon, will participate in the visually impaired sprint-pursuit.
Recent French Successes at Milano Cortina 2026
The French team has already enjoyed success at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics. Arthur Bauchet’s gold in the super-combined and silver in the downhill have been highlights, alongside the medals won in para ski de fond. Aurélie Richard also secured a silver medal in the women’s downhill standing event on March 7th, and Arthur Bauchet again took silver in the men’s downhill visually impaired event. Hyacinthe Deleplace did not finish the men’s downhill visually impaired event, while Jordan Broisin finished 7th and Oscar Burnham 13th in the men’s downhill standing event.
These early successes have set a positive tone for the French delegation, and they will be looking to build on this momentum as the Games progress. The busy schedule on Friday presents numerous opportunities for further medal wins, particularly in alpine skiing and biathlon.
The competition schedule is dynamic, and athletes are constantly adapting to conditions and challenges. For fans following the action, staying updated with official results and schedules is crucial.
Next up for the French team is continued competition in alpine skiing and biathlon throughout the weekend, culminating in further events next week. Keep an eye on Archysport for the latest updates and analysis from the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics.
