Andorran Skier Joan Verdú Frustrated by Third DNF Amid Equipment Struggles

Andorran alpine skier Joan Verdú has voiced frustration after his third did-not-finish (DNF) of the World Cup season in Schladming, admitting he is struggling to adapt to his equipment ahead of the Winter Olympics.

In a candid YouTube video, Verdú, Andorra's top alpine racer with the Federación Andorrana d'Esquí (FAE) and VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports team, described the Schladming giant slalom as nearly disastrous. "The situation is delicate because I'm not quite adapting well or feeling comfortable with the material. It's a mix of things," he said. Grip issues accumulated over races and training weeks have left him off-pace, despite high expectations from his competitive history.

Currently 24th in the giant slalom standings with 60 points, Verdú risks missing the World Cup finals in Lillehammer on 24 March, where only the top 25 qualify. One final World Cup giant slalom remains in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, on 7 March. His season started promisingly with 12th in Sölden and 16th in Copper Mountain, but DNFs followed in Beaver Creek and Val d'Isère, with finishes of 19th in Alta Badia and 20th in Adelboden.

Verdú, who competes for Andorra at the Milano-Cortina Olympics, faces the giant slalom in Bormio on 14 February. He detailed intensive efforts with his team, including shoulder treatment at Red Bull's facility last week, rigorous training, and testing equipment and lines. "We're putting in massive effort and drive. Mentally, I'm determined before the race, but it doesn't come together," he added, expressing disappointment at not delivering for fans on a favoured track like Schladming. He heads to Reiteralm to prepare.

Meanwhile, FAE alpine skier Íria Medina trains in giant slalom at Reiteralm for an FIS race in Hinterreit, Austria, on 4 February, followed by two European Cup events in Oberjoch, Germany.

In cross-country, Olympic hopefuls Irineu Esteve and Gina del Rio are in final preparations. Del Rio trained at La Rabassa and travels to Pezzazoo tomorrow with coaches Xabier del Val, Marc Puigsubirà, and Cristian Zorzi; she debuts in the skiathlon on 7 February. Esteve, with Team Aker Dæhlie in Seefeld, Austria, arrives in Pezzazoo on 3 February for his skiathlon on 8 February over 20km.

A World Cup downhill training in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, was cancelled due to snow; the downhill race starts at 10am today, with super-G tomorrow.