Andorran Ski Mountaineers Compete in Courchevel World Cup Vertical Race

Four Andorran ski mountaineers from the Federació Andorrana de Muntanyisme (FAM) have completed their races at the second round of the ski mountaineering World Cup in Courchevel, France, with Lea Ancion leading the team in Friday's vertical race.

Ancion finished 47th in the women's category, clocking 30 minutes and 18 seconds in the demanding nighttime event. She held steady throughout, passing the first intermediate checkpoint in 18:12 already in 47th place. In the men's race, which featured up to 86 senior competitors, Oriol Olm placed 52nd with 24:07, improving from 55th at the first split (14:17). Marc Casanovas came 55th in 24:19, advancing from 57th, while Max Palmitjavila ended 57th in 24:27 after starting 62nd at the intermediate point.

The team debuted at this stage on Thursday with the sprint, followed by Friday's short but explosive vertical race, which drew a large field and high pace. The outings provided valuable experience against top international opposition.

The athletes now prepare for the next World Cup stop, the 15th Comapedrosa Andorra in Arinsal on 25 and 26 January. Organizers have redesigned the vertical course to align with international federation standards and replaced last year's individual race and mixed relays with a sprint—the discipline debuting at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Olympics and emerging as the sport's premier event. For the first time, the races will run Sunday and Monday rather than over a full weekend.

Around 80 athletes from 20 countries are expected, including Olympic contenders. Andorra's squad—Olm, Palmitjavila, Casanovas, and Ancion—will compete. Last year's event reached 163 media outlets and 23 million viewers; this edition aims higher, with live coverage on Spanish, French, Canadian, Japanese, and Chinese TV, plus Eurosport across Europe.