Andorra World Cup Chief Backs Injured Moreno as Vonn Absence Reopens Title Fight

David Hidalgo, general director of the organising committee for Andorra's Women's Alpine Skiing World Cup finals, has voiced support for Cande Moreno's recovery from a knee injury sustained at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics, while stressing that the absences of Moreno and Lindsey Vonn have reopened the battle for Crystal Globes. He announced sponsorship from the Bruna d'Andorra cattle breed for the event on El Tarter's Àliga piste from 27 February to 1 March.

Moreno tore her left anterior cruciate ligament in a downhill crash and is set for surgery back in Andorra at the Ordino Sports Training Centre. She described the initial pain as "a very hard blow" but quickly regained composure, viewing it as a routine sport hazard and not her first knee issue after a similar injury two years prior. "I'm already eager to start recovery and anxious to get operated on," she said, expressing gratitude to her team, family, friends, racers, and online backers. She framed such setbacks as a choice: "be down, which makes the comeback harder, or give everything to return even better."

Hidalgo called Moreno's injury "part of sport, but a hard blow," adding, "We lost our national heroine and international heroine, and no one likes that." He found reassurance in her optimistic words—"she'll return stronger"—and expressed full confidence in her comeback. Vonn, already sidelined pre-Olympics by a tibia fracture needing three operations, will also miss the finals despite leading downhill standings with 400 points, 150 ahead of Germany's Emma Aicher and ahead of Weidle-Winkelmann in third. Mikaela Shiffrin leads overall, with Switzerland's Camille Rast, Aicher, and Vonn in the super-G top spots. "The competition is tighter than ever," Hidalgo said. "If it seemed some classifications were decided, they're not anymore," potentially boosting interest with multiple contenders for titles at the highest level.

Hidalgo praised Andorran skier Jordina Caminal, who achieved the nation's best Olympic women's downhill result at 24th but did not finish the super-G. "She manages pressure very well," he said, wishing her success. Cross-country skier Gina del Rio ended her Games debut with 47th in women's sprint qualifiers, over 20 seconds off the pace and more than seven from the top 30, blaming weak classical technique.

The Bruna d'Andorra deal marks the breed's first major national push after a recent branding refresh, tying territory, farming, and sport. Environment, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Guillem Casal said it bolsters identity and ranchers' efforts, with about 1,800 Brown cows grazing ski zones like Àliga in summer to maintain slopes as natural "gardeners." Activations feature the breed's logo on a TV-visible banner at the new pre-finish jump, a named course section, and a village tent with children's games, the transhumance documentary *Camins de tradició*—UNESCO-recognised heritage—and Bruna beef tastings. Some 2,000 cowbells will go to fans, larger ones rung by ski club reps at bib draws; slogans like "Som de muuuntanya" and its English equivalent will appear; and Bruna keychains will be available. Hidalgo described it as a prized authentic touch: "Many spectators seek authenticity... the Bruna fits our positioning and country's uniqueness," with extensions like hotel beef offerings.