Andorran Duo Finishes Sixth in Ski Mountaineering Mixed Relay at European Champs

Andorra's Lea Ancion and Max Palmitjavila finished sixth in the mixed relay at the ski mountaineering European Championships in Shahdag, Azerbaijan, on Thursday, recording a time of 42:13.5 among 11 teams.

Switzerland's Marianne Fatton and Thomas Bussard claimed gold in 35:55, ahead of Italy's Alba de Silvestro and Michele Boscacci in silver. Germany's Tatjana Paller and Finn Hösch took bronze. The Andorrans held off a late challenge from Czech pair Eva Matejovicova and Josef Nakladal, who slipped to seventh.

The championships opened Wednesday with the sprint event. Ancion produced Andorra's best result, placing ninth overall and second in U23 with a semifinal time of 3:51.3. She had posted the sixth-fastest qualifying mark of 3:49.38 before finishing fifth in her semifinal heat, just under seven seconds from the final. Matejovicova led U23, followed by Switzerland's Thibe Deseyn. The women's podium featured Fatton, Italy's Giulia Murada, and Paller.

Ancion described feeling strong on the demanding technical climbs and descents. She highlighted her solid qualifying and ability to manage the course effectively, securing ninth overall and U23 silver.

In the men's sprint, Palmitjavila ended 16th at 3:18.56 and Oriol Olm 20th at 3:21.31. Both advanced to quarterfinals but placed fourth in their heats. Olm ranked fifth in U23 behind Switzerland's Jon Kistler, Germany's Finn Hösch, and Spain's Biel Pujol Parramon. Marc Casanovas finished 31st at 3:47.06, exiting in qualifying. Overall men's winners were Nikita Filippov, Thomas Bussard, and Ot Ferrer.

The Andorran Mountaineering Federation confirmed its four athletes—Ancion, Palmitjavila, Casanovas, and Olm—are safe and competing without disruption, despite a drone incident in Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan region that authorities said did not impact Shahdag or Baku's airport.

The event continues Friday with the individual race and Sunday with the vertical. All four Andorrans are entered in the individual, while Ancion and Palmitjavila had competed in the Olympic-format mixed relay.