Andorra's Jonathan Díaz Finishes 9th in World Snowplough Championship

Jonathan Díaz, a driver with Andorra's Coex road maintenance service, secured ninth place at the World Snowplough Championship in Chambéry, France. The competition, held as part of the XVII World Congress on Winter Road Maintenance, featured nearly 40 drivers from 12 countries testing their precision and skill on snow removal equipment.

Díaz described the event as a recognition of "a job that isn't always visible, but is done well." Speaking on his return to Andorra, he called his top-10 finish a solid result amid strong international competition. "It was very well organized, with lots of skilled people from many countries," he said.

Competitors tackled exercises using unibots and 6x6 trucks, including zigzags, reverse maneuvers, obstacle displacement, safety braking, and snow clearance simulations. Díaz emphasized that precision outweighed speed: "Each test scored on skill, with speed offering only a small bonus. Ability was the key, not quickness."

Selected through an internal Coex process, Díaz represented Andorra without dedicated training time, as heavy winter snowfalls kept the team busy. "Some countries prepared a lot, but we didn't have time. With the snow we've had, our daily work was the best training," he noted. Andorra's narrow roads, heavy traffic, and tourism demand constant expertise, he added.

The championship also fostered professional exchange, with participants sharing techniques and viewing innovations, including displays from countries like Japan. Díaz highlighted the value in "exchanging knowledge on work methods and equipment."

His performance placed Andorra in the global top 10, underscoring Coex's essential role in keeping the country's roads safe and open during winter.