On March 11, 2026, French athlete Karl Tabouret won gold in the individual 10 km classic para cross-country skiing event at the Milan/Cortina Paralympic Games. The 22-year-old from Beaufort dominated the standing category race in Tesero, Italy, securing his first Paralympic medal. Tabouret's victory followed a bronze medal by teammate Benjamin Daviet in the previous day's sprint.
The Milan/Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games continued with strong performances in para cross-country skiing at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in Val di Fiemme, Italy. On Wednesday, March 11, at midday, Karl Tabouret, a 22-year-old from Beaufort, France, claimed the gold medal in the standing individual 10 km classic event. This marked his first Paralympic gold and highlighted his progression since finishing seventh in his debut World Cup race four years ago in Vuokatti.
Tabouret spoke to Nordic Magazine after the race, expressing overwhelming emotions. "Naturally, there were a lot of emotions! It was even more emotional than usual, especially because the family was there, unlike at the World Cups and World Championships," he said. The presence of more spectators provided an extra boost, allowing him to push to his maximum capacity.
Reflecting on prior disappointments, including missing the podium in Tuesday's classic sprint, Tabouret noted, "The slightly chaotic results on the other days really fired me up. The demon in me woke up: I really wanted to go and get that medal." A conversation with teammate Benjamin Daviet, who won bronze in the standing sprint the day before, further motivated him. Daviet encouraged Tabouret to dig deep, emphasizing that stronger competition did not make victory impossible.
During the race, Tabouret managed his effort strategically, giving his all in the first three laps before easing slightly on the final one. He finished strongly after mistaking a rival's position, ensuring a clear win. Looking ahead, Tabouret aims for more medals, including in the relay with Anthony Chalençon. "Nothing’s over yet. I want to go for a medal in every race," he stated.
This achievement adds to France's successes, following Daviet's bronze and amid a strong season for French nordic athletes like Julia Simon and Marie Bochet from the same region.
