CORTINA D’AMPEZZO: Russian skier Varvara Voronchikhina secured her second gold medal of the Milan-Cortina Paralympics on Saturday as she won the women’s slalom standing, securing her nation’s fifth gold under its own flag at the 2026 Games.

Ahead of Sunday’s closing ceremony, the Russians have now climbed to fifth place in the medal table, with nine medals in total.

Voronchikhina, 23, had already won gold in the super-G and secured silver and bronze in the giant slalom and downhill.

Asked which of her two golds she preferred, Voronchikhina said: “For sure the super-G medal, as it’s my favourite discipline. I’m so glad I won in super-G.

“After my first gold, it was super good. I felt like I could enjoy (the Games) more. (Competing at the) Paralympics is a real vibe. It’s an amazing atmosphere.”

In total, 10 Russian and Belarusian athletes took part at Milan-Cortina, competing under their own national anthem and flag — a first since 2014.

During last week’s opening ceremony in Verona, representatives of the Russian team were booed by some spectators as they paraded behind the country’s flag.

Russia was banned from the 2018 Games due to a doping scandal, although some athletes were permitted to compete under neutral colours.

Russia and Belarus were then banned from the 2022 Paralympics following the invasion of Ukraine, although they were permitted to compete as neutral athletes in the Paris Summer Paralympics two years later.

Voronchikhina’s victory in Monday’s super-G was Russia’s first gold of the Games and the podium ceremony went off without incident.

The following day, cross-country skier Anastasiia Bagiian won gold in the women’s sprint classic vision impaired event, but German silver medallist Linn Kazmaier and her guide Florian Baumann turned their backs during the podium ceremony in protest against the country’s inclusion at the Games.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2026