Varvara Voronchikhina won Russia's first Paralympic gold medal since 2014 with victory in the women's standing super G at the Winter Paralympics in Italy. The 23-year-old crossed the finish line in one minute 15.6 seconds on the Olimpia delle Tofane piste, finishing almost two seconds ahead of French silver medallist Aurelie Richard.

This victory marks a significant moment for Russian Paralympic sport, coming just two days after Voronchikhina claimed bronze in the standing downhill event. These Games represent the first appearance of the Russian flag at a Paralympics since Sochi 2014, following years of bans related to state-sponsored doping and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Voronchikhina's return to international competition only became possible in January after Russia won an appeal against FIS, the international skiing governing body. While she competes in her first Paralympic Games, the two-time world champion has additional medal opportunities ahead. Her victory ceremony will take place later Monday with the Russian national anthem played, symbolizing the complex political journey of Russian athletes back to the Paralympic stage.