Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – Aurélie Richard of France added to her impressive medal haul at the 2026 Milan Cortina Paralympic Winter Games on Thursday, securing a bronze medal in the women’s standing giant slalom. This marks the 20-year-old’s fourth medal of the Games, following silver medals in the combined, downhill and Super-G events. The competition took place at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Richard finished her two runs with a combined time that placed her third, behind Sweden’s Ebba Aarsjö, who continued her dominant performance, and Russia’s Varvara Voronchikhina, the Super-G gold medalist. Aarsjö has proven to be a force in Para alpine skiing at these Games.
The French skier was third after the first run, trailing Aarsjö by over two seconds. Rather than pushing for a riskier second run, Richard skied a conservative course, securing her place on the podium. This strategic approach highlights her maturity and focus amidst a demanding competition schedule.
Born without a left forearm due to agenesis, Richard has quickly established herself as a rising star in the sport. She previously expressed that technical disciplines were not her strongest suit, making her success in the giant slalom even more remarkable. “I will try to get three medals. The technique is not my strong point, but I will give my all and we’ll see what happens,” Richard stated after winning her second medal, as reported by Le Parisien.
Richard’s journey to this point has been one of dedication and perseverance. Her performance at the Milan Cortina Games demonstrates her ability to overcome challenges and compete at the highest level. The bronze medal adds to a growing collection of accolades for the young athlete.
With one race remaining – the women’s standing slalom – Richard has the opportunity to further add to her medal count. She’s already exceeded expectations at these Games, and a strong finish in the slalom would cap off a truly memorable Paralympic debut. The slalom is scheduled to take place later this week, offering Richard a final chance to showcase her skills.
The success of athletes like Aurélie Richard underscores the incredible talent and determination within the Paralympic movement. Her story is an inspiration, demonstrating that with hard work and a positive attitude, anything is possible. The Milan Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games continue to provide a platform for these remarkable athletes to shine.
Looking ahead, Richard is already setting her sights on the 2030 Paralympic Winter Games, which will be held in the French Alps. Having tasted success on the world stage, she will undoubtedly be a strong contender on home snow. The prospect of competing in front of a home crowd will provide further motivation for the talented French skier.
The next opportunity for Aurélie Richard to compete will be in the women’s standing slalom, scheduled for [Date to be confirmed – check official Paralympic schedule]. Fans can follow the action and find official updates on the Milan Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games website: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/paralympic-games.
