Varvara Voronchikhina won Russia’s first Paralympic gold medal since 2014, taking victory in the women’s standing super-G.
The 23-year-old skier had already claimed standing downhill bronze two days earlier, giving Russia its first medal of the Games. These are the first Paralympics where the Russian flag has appeared since Sochi 12 years ago, following bans due to the state-sponsored doping scandal and later sanctions after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Voronchikhina finished the super-G in 1:15.6, nearly two seconds ahead of France’s Aurelie Richard (silver) and Sweden’s Ebba Aarsjoe (bronze). She said the win is “really special” and expressed pride in seeing her flag again.
The 2021 two-time world champion will have further medal opportunities at these Games.
