Andorran Skier Carla Mijares DNFs in Olympic Women's Slalom

Andorran alpine skier Carla Mijares failed to finish the first run of the women's slalom at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo on Wednesday, closing out Andorra's participation in the Games with a DNF.

Competing with bib 42 at 10:00 a.m. on the technical course, the 23-year-old opened with an early error in the first sector, posting the 36th-fastest time at +3.75 seconds. She recovered in the second sector with +0.62, holding 36th overall at +4.37. Attempting to regain time in a fast double turn, she failed to tighten her line, veered too far downhill, and went out of bounds, missing the second run at 1:30 p.m. Of 95 starters, 28 recorded DNFs.

Mijares raced despite ongoing pain in her left foot from a late-January injury to the flexor muscle of her big toe, which compressed inside her boot and curtailed training. The issue had forced her out of the team combined event. Ahead of the race, she reported positive sensations after resuming skiing on Monday. "These last few days I've felt better each time," she said. "The leg pain stopped me from training as much as I wanted, but I've focused on recovery and I'm pleased with the progress." The Olympic environment and teammates' performances—Joan Verdú's 10th in giant slalom and Xavier Cornella's record 21st in men's slalom—boosted her motivation. "I'm much better than a week ago," she added. "We've done everything possible; it's not perfect, but I can race."

Post-race, Mijares described starting with resolve despite initial discomfort, with rhythm arriving late after losing timing. "I had to close the line more to prioritize speed, but I went a bit too far downhill and couldn't make the quick double," she explained. She viewed taking the start as a personal win amid recent doubts, enjoyed her Olympic debut, and aims to return in four years at full strength. "Just starting was a victory for me," she said. "I've savored the whole experience and leave eager to work these four years to come back with all my strength."

Mikaela Shiffrin took gold with a combined time of 1:39.10, leading the first run at 47.13 ahead of Lena Dürr (+0.82) and Cornelia Oehlund (+1.00). Camille Rast won silver (1:40.60) and Anna Swenn Larsson bronze (1:40.81).

Andorra's best women's slalom Olympic result remains Vicky Grau's 19th at Nagano 1998. The Federació Andorrana d'Esquí (FAE) hailed the alpine campaign as positive overall, highlighting Verdú's top-10, Cornella's milestone, and experience gained despite injuries to Mijares and Cande Moreno, who faces knee ligament surgery on March 12. Alpine director Roger Vidosa praised the team's competitiveness and targeted podium contention in the next cycle: "I hope this super team of boys and girls is ready in four years to chase spots near, or even on, the medals."

In cross-country, Gina del Rio debuted with 44th in skiathlon, 47th in classic sprint, and 35th in 10km skate despite a pre-race cold. Irineu Esteve withdrew to focus on recovery after subpar form. FAE cross-country director Xabier del Val called the Games "difficult" but valued the debut experience, noting Del Rio's fighting spirit in her final race.