Andorran Skiers Show Promise in European Cup and Junior Nationals

Andorran skier Jordina Caminal posted the 25th-fastest time of 1:18.21 during the first downhill training at the European Cup speed finals in Saalbach, Austria, trailing leader Haley Cutler of the United States by 3.59 seconds (1:14.62). Austria's Nadine Fest placed second (+0.14), with compatriot Lena Wechner third (+1.38). Caminal ranked 38th in the first sector (+0.87), 25th in the second (+1.72), and 16th in the third (+1.00). Currently 21st in the downhill standings, she qualified for both downhill and super-G by finishing in the top 45 in at least one discipline. A second training session follows Thursday, with the downhill race Friday and super-G Saturday.

In the SKILV Cup Val di Fassa events in Pozza di Fassa, Italy—part of the Latvian Junior National Championships—Íria Medina secured fourth in Friday's giant slalom with a combined time of 1:40.29, 0.99 seconds behind winner Jessica Hilzinger of Germany. Starting 15th after the first run on a straighter course, Medina climbed 11 places by posting the second-fastest second-run time on the twistier layout. Her coach, Ibon Mintegui, said she struggled initially with course interpretation but positioned well later, delivering a strong showing against tough competition while needing two solid runs for better results. The women's podium featured Switzerland's Lara Baumann and France's Laurine Lugon-Moulin in second and third.

In the men's giant slalom, Marc Fernández finished 34th (1:40.82, 4.34 seconds off French winner Diego Orecchioni), with the podium completed by compatriots Guerlain Favre and Italy's Hannes Zingerle. Bartumeu Gabriel recorded the 36th-fastest first-run time but failed to finish the second, while Àlex Rius did not advance past the opener.

The previous day's giant slalom saw Medina in 10th (1:36.86, 1.49 seconds behind Hilzinger after ninth in the first run), Gabriel 37th, Rius 39th, and Fernández 43rd. Upcoming races include downhill and slalom.