Andorran Skiers Claim Multiple Podiums and National Titles at Grandvalira Championships

Andorran skiers secured multiple podium finishes and national titles at the National Championships held on the Esparver piste at El Tarter in Grandvalira.

The slalom event doubled as an FIS race and the Viladomat Trophy, organised by Esquí Club Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig. Spain's Aleix Aubert claimed victory in the men's category with a time of 2:00.48, but Xavier Cornella took second place at 2:01.04 (+0.56), earning him the Andorran national title. Bartumeu Gabriel, known as 'Bartu', finished third (+0.94 overall in the FIS race), marking his fourth-best result of the season with 28.93 FIS points. Other strong Andorran performances included Àlvar Calvo (11th), Pirmin Estruga (14th-15th), Àxel Esteve (9th-15th), Max Black (17th), Àlex Comellas (19th), Pere Cornella (14th-21st), Èric Ebri (22nd), Carlos Salinas (24th), Sergi Puigdemasa (29th), and Àlex Rius (7th).

In the women's slalom, Spain's Arrieta Rodríguez won with 1:59.22-1:59.99. Íria Medina finished second at 2:00.13 (+0.91), securing the national championship and her season-best 28.73 FIS points, improving from 34.55. Etna Pou took third nationally (third overall at +1.27), followed by Jordina Caminal (10th overall). Ainhoa Piccino placed seventh (11th) at 2:09.86, ahead of Marta Torres (12th-19th), Anna Ramentol (17th), and Isabella Pérez and Carlota Comellas.

The championships concluded with the giant slalom, also the Ordino Reserva de Biosfera Trophy in the Copa Creand. Italy's Francesco Riccardo Zucchini won the men's race (2:00.13), with Àlex Rius second (+1.37, 34.10 FIS points, a personal best). Rius claimed the national title in his farewell after 13 years with the Andorrana Esquí Federation (FAE), receiving a team tribute. "It has been a long, eventful journey with highs and lows, but I couldn't have done it without the support of the FAE, teammates, coaches, sponsors, and many others," Rius said. Xavier Cornella and Marc Fernández completed the senior podium; U21 highlights went to Maià Font, Àlvar Calvo, and Pirmin Estruga; U18 to Max Black, Jordi Rogel, and Àlex Comellas.

Italy's Francesca Fanti topped the women's giant slalom (2:03.28), but Medina's second place (+0.13, 28.44 FIS points) confirmed her national title. Etna Pou (fourth) was runner-up, and Jordina Caminal (seventh) took third, all improving FIS points. Senior podium: Medina and Caminal; U18: Pou, Ainhoa Piccino, Anna Ramentol.

Several athletes lowered their FIS points across the events. Two FIS giant slalom races follow on 14-15 April at the same venue.