Andorran Ski Federation Hails 2025-2026 Season Success with National Titles and FIS Podiums

The Andorran Ski Federation (FAE) has declared the 2025-2026 alpine skiing season a resounding success, highlighted by national championships at Grandvalira's Esparver course in El Tarter, multiple FIS podiums, and FIS points improvements despite injuries and retirements.

The nationals concluded Friday with giant slalom titles for Íria Medina and Àlex Rius. Medina took second overall in the women's event at 0.13 seconds behind Italy's Francesca Fanti (2:03.28), securing the national crown ahead of Etna Pou (fourth) and Jordina Caminal (seventh). Senior podium spots went to Medina and Caminal, while Pou led U18 ahead of Ainhoa Piccino and Anna Ramentol. In the men's race, Italy's Francesco Riccardo Zucchini won in 2:00.13, with Rius second (+1.37s) to claim the title, followed by Spain's Simón Jorge Calzado. Senior podium: Rius, Marc Fernández, Xavier Cornella. U21 leaders: Maià Font, Àlvar Calvo, Pirmin Estruga. U18: Max Black, Jordi Rogel, Àlex Comellas. Numerous athletes posted FIS points gains, capping a busy week ahead of two more FIS giant slaloms on April 14-15 at the same venue.

Earlier slalom nationals on Thursday saw Medina and Xavier Cornella claim titles as top Andorrans. Medina finished second in 2:00.13, 0.91 seconds off Spain's Arrieta Rodríguez (1:59.22), ahead of Pou (2:00.49) and Caminal (2:06.83). Other women: Piccino (11th), Ramentol (17th), Marta Torres (19th). Cornella was runner-up in 2:01.04 behind Aleix Aubert (2:00.48), topping Àlex Rius (7th) and Àxel Esteve (9th). Further men: Pere Cornella (14th), Estruga (15th), Èric Guimerà (20th), Robert Solsona (21st), Èric Mitjana (23rd), Carlos Salinas (24th), Marcel Pérez (25th), Raúl Rico (30th). The event honored Rius's 13-year FAE career; he reflected: "It has been a long journey with ups and downs, but I could not have achieved this without the FAE, teammates, coaches, sponsors, and others."

Prior FIS races at Esparver lifted spirits. Medina won Sunday's giant slalom in 2:01.38 for a career-best 23 FIS points, beating her prior 26.49 and Sestrière 25.17 marks. Argentina's Nicole Begué took silver (+1.67s)—granddaughter of Cerro Castor ski school founder, daughter of Olympic skier Gastón—followed by Fanti. Caminal was fourth (55.70 points, down from 57.45, below her La Molina season high of 39.68); Comellas (10th), Isabella Pérez (16th), Ramentol (24th), Torres (27th); Piccino missed the second run. Zucchini led men in 1:57.28, ahead of Spain's Roger Barceló (+2.01s) and Calzado (+2.47s). Andorrans: Calvo (8th, +3.21s), Bartumeu Gabriel (9th, +3.64s), Maià Font (10th, +3.76s), Cornella (11th), Pérez (21st), Estruga (22nd), Èric Ebri (23rd), Salinas (27th), Èric Escabrós (28th), Antoni Bea (31st), Pere Cornella (35th), Arnau Escabrós (37th), Sergi Puigdemasa (40th); Àlex Comellas and Jan Visa skipped the second run.

Tuesday's slalom—also the Viladomat Trophy by Esquí Club Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig—delivered Andorran podiums: Cornella second (+0.21s off Aubert), Gabriel third (+0.94s, 28.93 FIS points, his fourth-best this season). Others: Calvo (11th), Estruga (14th), Esteve (15th), Max Black (17th, better points), Àlex Comellas (19th), Pere Cornella (21st), Ebri (22nd), Salinas (24th), Puigdemasa (29th). Piccino led women seventh (2:09.86) behind Rodríguez (1:59.99); Torres 12th; Pérez, Ramentol, Comellas did not finish.

Alpine director Roger Vidosa called the season intense yet positive, with three World Cup points finishes—a breakthrough. Olympic efforts by Joan Verdú, Caminal, Cornella, and Carla Mijares were solid amid Cande Moreno's downhill injuries. "It was a demanding year with highs and lows, but we're growing athletically," Vidosa said.

Verdú, now on VAN DEER-Red Bull gear after four years with coach Juan Lago, posted results like DNFs at Sölden (12th), Copper (16th), Beaver Creek, Val d'Isère, Alta Badia (19th), Adelboden (20th), Kranjska Gora, and an Olympic ninth. Both he and the FAE seek a new head coach for a four-year Olympic cycle: motivated, World Cup-connected, project-driven, complementary. "We're taking time to find the right fit," Verdú said, praising Lago's cycle. Josh Alayrach, ex-Mijares coach, joins to ease physical trainer Damià Costa's travel. Vidosa emphasized interviewing candidates carefully yet swiftly; no decision yet.

Moreno expressed recovery optimism. Cross-country director Xabier del Val noted four World Cup top-15s and three top-30s. Gina del Rio excelled in under-23 distance: "The balance is positive—distance results surprised me," she said, eyeing more experience. Irineu Esteve, hit by undetected overtraining, prioritizes rebuilding: "We're on track, then the team will review changes," adding light cardio and swimming.

Freestyle's Joan Aracil finished 24th in FWT Challenger, aiming for cleaner runs next year.