Russian para alpine skier Aleksei Bugaev won the bronze medal in the Men’s Downhill Standing final at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games [1].

The achievement is significant because it represents the first Winter Paralympic medal for Russia since the 2014 Sochi Games [2]. This ends a 12-year drought for the nation in the Winter Paralympic arena [2].

Bugaev secured the third-place position on March 7, 2026, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy [2]. He finished the race with a time of 1:18.94 [1]. This performance placed him 1.15 seconds behind the gold medalist [1].

Robin Cuche took first place with a winning time of 1:17.79 [1]. Arthur Bauchet earned the silver medal, finishing with a time of 1:18.40 [1]. During his descent, Bugaev maintained an average speed of 96.00 km/h [1].

The event took place as part of the broader Milano Cortina 2026 games, which brought together para athletes from around the world to compete in Italy [2]. Bugaev's result marks a return to the podium for Russian athletes in these specific winter disciplines after more than a decade of absence [2].

“Russia's first Winter Paralympic medal in 12 years.”

The return of a Russian athlete to the Winter Paralympic podium signifies a shift in the nation's competitive standing and participation status following the 2014 Sochi Games. By securing a medal in a high-speed discipline like the Men's Downhill Standing, Bugaev demonstrates a resurgence in Russian para-alpine skiing capabilities on the international stage.