Bubeníčková Secures Second Paralympic Silver in Cross-Country Skiing
By Daniel Richardson
MILAN CORTINA, Italy – Simona Bubeníčková, 17, added to her impressive Paralympic Games haul on Monday, securing a silver medal in the women’s 10km classic cross-country skiing event. The Czech athlete finished second to Russia’s Anastasia Bagijanova in Tesero, building on the silver medal she won earlier in the Games in the biathlon’s individual pursuit event. This marks a significant achievement for the Czech Paralympic team, which hadn’t secured a medal at the Winter Paralympics in sixteen years prior to this week.
Building on Previous Success
Bubeníčková, the reigning world champion, navigated a challenging course, finishing behind Bagijanova. The Russian skier claimed her second gold medal of the Games, following her victory in Tuesday’s sprint event. Bubeníčková’s earlier performance in the sprint was hampered by a fall in the semi-final, where she ultimately finished fifth. Despite the setback, she demonstrated remarkable resilience to return to the podium in the 10km classic.
A Tough Race, But a Satisfying Result
The race itself proved demanding, with warm temperatures and soft snow conditions making for a difficult track. “I left everything out there, it was incredibly tough,” Bubeníčková told Czech Television after the race. “The course was very difficult, it didn’t suit me at all, I struggled in the hills.” She acknowledged Bagijanova’s strength, adding, “My opponent was much stronger, I respect her. I couldn’t have done any better, and I’m happy.”
Bubeníčková revealed that her motivation was heightened by her fall earlier in the week. “I knew that when I couldn’t go on anymore, I would have something to believe about and fight for,” she said. “But I was calm at the start. This morning, I remembered that three weeks ago, during training, I was happy just to pass a tourist, so I’m satisfied with the result. I couldn’t have done more.”
Škoda Finishes 13th, Motejzík Does Not Finish
In the men’s standing category, Matěj Škoda achieved a commendable 13th-place finish. “I’m very happy. I was hoping to be fighting for a place between tenth and fifteenth, so thirteenth is great,” Škoda stated. Though, Miroslav Motejzík, also competing in the men’s standing event, did not finish the race.
Czech Paralympic Team’s Breakthrough
The Czech team’s success at the Milan Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games represents a significant breakthrough. Prior to this week, the Czech Republic hadn’t won a medal at the Winter Paralympics since 2010. Carina Edlingerová secured the team’s first medal of these Games with a silver in the biathlon sprint on Saturday. With three silver medals now secured, the Czech Paralympic team is enjoying a remarkable run of form.
Bubeníčková’s performance underscores her status as a rising star in Paralympic cross-country skiing. Her ability to overcome adversity, as demonstrated by her recovery from the sprint fall, speaks to her mental fortitude and determination. She was guided during the race by her tracer, David Šrůtek.
What’s Next?
The Paralympic Winter Games continue in Milan Cortina, with several more opportunities for Czech athletes to compete for medals. The schedule for the remaining events can be found on the official Paralympic website: [https://www.paralympic.org/](https://www.paralympic.org/).
What we have is a developing story. Check back for updates.
