Andorran Skier Íria Medina Set for World Cup Debut in Sölden Giant Slalom

Andorran skier Íria Medina will make her FIS World Cup debut in giant slalom at Sölden, Austria, on October 24 and 25, after entering the top 100 worldwide in the discipline.

The Andorran Ski Federation (FAE) named Medina to the roster alongside Joan Verdú, ensuring two representatives from the principality at the season opener. Her selection stems from a solid preseason in South America, where she placed second overall in the South American Cup giant slalom rankings, trailing Argentina's Francesca Baruzzi by two points. Medina earned three podium finishes in six races—one victory and two third places—while posting a personal-best FIS score of 18.74 points. Her current 26.06 FIS points position her 90th in the world giant slalom list.

Medina described approaching the event with great enthusiasm, viewing it as a chance to measure herself against the elite and deliver her strongest performance. She plans to treat the race as a learning experience to refine her competitive edge, even as she prioritizes consolidation in the Europa Cup and a bid for the Crans Montana World Championships.

FAE women's team leader Xoque Bellsolà explained that an outright South American Cup win would have triggered the debut, but Medina's near-miss, final-race victory, and top-100 status made it the right moment. "It's important, and we think she needs this step," Bellsolà said, stressing that Europa Cup remains the focus while Sölden will boost her development.

The outing also prepares Medina for Andorra's World Cup events in Soldeu next March, including the March 6 giant slalom where she ranks among top contenders, followed by a March 7 slalom with Carla Mijares. FAE alpine director Roger Vidosa emphasized prior World Cup runs will reduce home pressure for Medina, who leads the giant slalom candidates.

Medina returns to Chile on Thursday with Clàudia Garcia and Cande Moreno for final tuning. Separately, Maià Font placed 11th in a South American Cup downhill at Corralco, clocking 1:08.00 for 24 points, after sitting out the second run. He had posted the 19th-fastest official training time. His schedule continues with a Chilean national downhill, two South American Cup super-Gs, and a third FIS super-G.