Andorran Skier Cande Moreno Suffers Knee and Thumb Injuries in Olympic Downhill Crash

Andorran skier Cande Moreno sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee and a torn internal ligament in her right thumb during a crash in the women's downhill at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on the Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Scans confirmed the injuries after her knee twisted inward on landing a jump, requiring surgery on both once swelling subsides, with recovery expected to take about six months.

Moreno, starting with bib 26, recorded a strong first split just 0.19 seconds off the pace and provisionally 23rd before the fall. Medics attended her on the slope, pausing the race for several minutes, then airlifted her by helicopter to a medical center. The incident echoed Lindsey Vonn's earlier crash on the same day, which also prompted an evacuation and silenced spectators.

A day later from the Olympic Village, Moreno expressed optimism despite pain medication. "It's the second time this has happened to me and I'm quite positive overall, since I came back stronger before," she said, referencing a similar right knee rupture on the course two years earlier. She plans a prompt return to Andorra for thumb surgery first, followed by the knee, crediting top local medical support for boosting her morale. Missing home World Cup events stings most, she added.

The Andorran Olympic Committee offered full backing, with president Xavier Espot describing it as a "terrible moment" but commending her fortitude amid the sport's harsh realities.

Teammate Jordina Caminal, bib 29 and making her Games debut after back problems 10 days prior, then delivered Andorra's best-ever women's Olympic downhill finish at 24th in 1:41.34, 5.24 seconds behind gold medalist Breezy Johnson (1:36.10). Germany's Emma Aicher claimed silver 0.04 seconds back, with Italy's Sofia Goggia taking bronze in 1:36.69. "Conditions accelerated a lot and the speed surprised me, but I'm really happy—I gave everything and I'm proud," Caminal said. Ten days bedridden with back pain made it sweeter. She dedicated her run to Moreno: "I hope it's not too serious and she returns soon. I carry her in my heart."

Andorra withdrew from the team combined due to Moreno's injuries and a grade II muscle-tendon strain in Carla Mijares' left big toe flexor, incurred in training after the 25 January World Cup in Spindleruv Mlyn. Mijares, in physiotherapy, aims for the women's slalom on 18 February. Sports Minister Mònica Bonell called it a "bittersweet" day: "Heartbroken for Cande, but pleased with Jordina. This is high-risk sport." Caminal's next race is Thursday's super-G.