Arthur Bauchet targets Milano Cortina 2026 podium and more

Para alpine skier Arthur Bauchet dominated the pre-Paralympic season, earning the overall Crystal Globe and two world titles. The French athlete is aiming to continue his success next year at Milano Cortina 2026, but he is looking even further.

He hopes to compete in front of a home crowd at the French Alps 2030 Paralympic Winter Games.  

In the 2024-2025 season, the 24-year-old athlete won 17 of his 22 World Cup starts, including his 100th World Cup podium. In addition to the overall title, he swept four discipline titles on the World Cup circuit.

“I have a lot of gold medals, but I always want to push further and train harder and harder,” Bauchet said during the season. “It’s still difficult because when you are one of the top athletes, everybody is training to put you behind them.” 

“The next big dream is to win another medal at Milano Cortina and to compete at my home in France in 2030. This is my life goal now and I will train until I achieve this.” 

Skiing to greatness

Bauchet made a huge impression at PyeongChang 2018, winning four silver medals on his Paralympic debut. He celebrated every race with his family and friends, who were cheering for him at the bottom of the slopes.

“The first Games (PyeongChang 2018) were incredible. During the Games, everything was impressive. It was so big, and the Paralympic Village was incredible,” Bauchet said.

“I was a bit nervous to compete at the Games. But it was great because there were a lot of people and staff who did everything they could to give us the opportunity (to have) our best result.”  

“I had my family at the end of the hill for this incredible moment, and I had four medals, so it was an incredible souvenir.”  

Four years later, he finished the Beijing 2022 Paralympics as one of the most successful athletes of the Games, taking home three gold and a bronze medal.

“The Beijing 2022 Games were a lot different because of COVID. I did not have my family at the end of the hill, but it was a great Games,” he said. “I was so happy to win three gold medals and this gave me a lot of motivation to have the same results at Milano Cortina 2026.  

“I train harder and harder every time to try to have another gold medal at Milano Cortina.” 

A Paralympic success story

Bauchet, who is from south France, did not grow up skiing. He was introduced to the sport during a family trip and fell in love with how unique the sport is.  

Fast forward many years, the French athlete says he never forgets how he started sports.

“It’s been a long journey. Now, even if I compete at the best level, at the World Cup or the Paralympic Games, I remember all my beginnings of skiing and my first races. For me, it’s still a game to be here and to compete. It is incredible to feel the same sensation as a kid.” 

When he started competing, he had France’s eight-time Paralympic champion Marie Bochet as one of his biggest role models. Bochet has competed at four Paralympic Games, including PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022.

“It was incredible to have her on the team and see all the medals that she has. It is my goal to have the same career that Marie had, of course,” he said. “It is difficult for me to put myself in an idol position for someone."

Secret to success

The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games will take place between 6 and 15 March, featuring up to 665 athletes competing in six sports – Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country, Para ice hockey, Para snowboard, and wheelchair curling. 

Up to 190 Para alpine skiers will compete in 79 medal events in Cortina in less than a year.

“I need more training to become a Paralympic champion. To become a Paralympic champion, you have to train harder than everybody else but I think you need to take pleasure in what you do,” Bauchet said.

“You have to see the good side of sport and not the bad side. You have to push harder and harder because you love it, and this is the secret to becoming a champion.” 

Check out France’s top moments from the Paralympic Winter Games 

Secure your tickets for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games  

Milano Cortina 2026, which takes place from 6-15 March 2026, is set to be the most beautiful Paralympic Winter Games yet. Ticket prices start at EUR 10 for children under 14, with approximately 89 per cent of the tickets available for EUR 35 or less. Specially-priced Early Bird tickets are available until 6 May 2025.

For more information, please visit tickets.milanocortina2026.org