Joan Verdú Ends World Cup Giant Slalom Season 26th, Misses Finals

Andorran alpine skier Joan Verdú finished his 2025-2026 World Cup giant slalom season in 26th place with 60 points, missing the Lillehammer finals by two points after a first-run DNF at Kranjska Gora.

The result ended a three-year run of finals qualifications and marked his toughest campaign since going full-time on the elite circuit in 2022-2023. Verdú recorded no top-10 World Cup finishes this year, despite four in each of the previous two seasons. His season highlight was 10th at the Milan-Cortina Olympics in Bormio, where he posted the fastest second-run time, nearly matching his ninth from the prior Games.

Verdú opened strongly with 12th at Sölden—1.36 seconds off Marco Odermatt's win amid wind, fog and a rutted course—then 16th at Copper Mountain with a sixth in the second run. He followed with 20th in the first run at Beaver Creek before a second-run DNF, another DNF at Val d'Isère from 27th, 19th at Alta Badia, 20th at Adelboden, a training crash ahead of Schladming and the Kranjska Gora exit—his fourth DNF in eight starts.

In a YouTube video, Verdú expressed frustration over the Kranjska Gora crash on a track he favors. He had opted to push for a strong result rather than play it safe for qualification points, given his borderline standing. "My goal wasn't the finals—it's to be much higher up. I know my level," he said, adding that he weighed the risks, saw an opportunity and went all-in. He lamented not showing his recent training pace and Olympic form, calling the day "very difficult" and the ending "shit," especially as he felt competitive again.

Verdú partly attributed struggles to adapting from 12 years with Head to VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports gear. He tested multiple skis and boots, landing on a prototype boot with tweaks that aided his Olympic run and pre-Kranjska Gora sessions. "It's not better or worse, just different and doesn't suit my style as well," he said, while thanking the team for their efforts.

Self-critical as ever, Verdú took full blame for mistakes, drawing on past injuries to handle disappointment. "I'm racing the world's best—something I dreamed of as a kid—and won't complain about top 30," he noted. He praised his team's professionalism and passion, stressing the need to analyze successes and areas for improvement.

Major offseason shifts include parting ways with coach Juan Lago after four years. Sources report Lago decided to leave for a role with Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen, though no official announcement has come. Verdú is considering equipment changes, such as returning to Head while retaining Red Bull ties, with nothing confirmed. He now faces a reflective period ahead of the October 25 Sölden opener.