Robin Cuche Wins Bronze at Milan Cortina Paralympics | Swiss Skiing Success
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – Robin Cuche completed a remarkable run at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics, securing a bronze medal in the men’s slalom standing event on Sunday, . The Swiss Para skier adds to a medal haul that already included gold in both the downhill and Super-G standing competitions, and a silver in the giant slalom.
The 27-year-old Cuche’s bronze medal finish wasn’t a foregone conclusion after the first run. He finished sixth in the standing category, nearly a second behind the bronze medal position, and faced challenging visibility conditions that felt akin to skiing blind. Despite the difficult conditions, Cuche delivered a strong second run, capitalizing on struggles from other competitors.
Completing the Set: Bronze Joins Gold and Silver
Cuche finished with a 3.18-second deficit behind Russia’s Alexei Bugajew and New Zealand’s Adam Hall, securing the third spot on the podium and completing his collection of medals at these Games. His victories in the downhill and Super-G were followed by a silver in the giant slalom, demonstrating his versatility across multiple alpine disciplines. The only event where he didn’t reach the podium was the alpine combined, where a disqualification in the Super-G portion ended his chances.
The Swiss team saw mixed results in the standing category. Emerick Sierro, 19, finished 14th, while Théo Gmür, a triple gold medalist at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, placed 17th.
In the sitting category, Switzerland was represented by Christophe Damas and Pascal Christen. Christen’s race ended after the first run, while Damas finished 13th. The gold medal in the sitting category went to Jeroen Kampschreur of the Netherlands, adding to his previous gold medals in the Super-G and alpine combined.
Cuche’s journey to Paralympic success is particularly poignant, as he previously faced bullying in school due to his disability, hemiplegia, which affects his right leg. He has spoken openly about how skiing became an escape and a source of freedom during those difficult times. “At the beginning, when the kids at school made fun of me as I was disabled, it wasn’t always effortless, and it was the way to gain out of it and to sense a bit more free in life and with my family, my brother,” Cuche said, reflecting on his early experiences.
Prior to these Games, Cuche had five second-place finishes at world championships but had yet to achieve a major competition victory. This Paralympics has marked a turning point in his career, finally delivering the top-of-the-podium results he had long sought. “It’s not because of today, but more about what happened these last few years,” he explained after winning his first gold medal. “My whole life, growing up with a disability and trying to go on skis and then all the training. It has finally paid off.”
Cuche’s success story resonates beyond the slopes, offering a powerful message of resilience and determination. His ability to overcome adversity and achieve his dreams has made him an inspiration to many, particularly those facing similar challenges. The two gold medals and a bronze medal from Milan Cortina represent not only athletic achievement but as well a triumph over personal obstacles.
The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics have showcased Cuche’s exceptional talent and unwavering spirit. His performances have solidified his position as a leading figure in Para alpine skiing and a symbol of hope for athletes around the world. He leaves Italy with a full set of medals and a story that will undoubtedly inspire future generations.