Andorran Skiers Compete in Japan and Austria to Boost FIS Points

Xavier Cornella and Bartumeu "Bartu" Gabriel are in Japan to compete in a series of races aimed at improving their FIS points ahead of next season.

The two alpine skiers from the Andorran Ski Federation (FAE) are taking part in the Far East Cup (FEC), a continental-level competition with handicaps that allow top performers to boost their rankings. Cornella holds 23 FIS points, while Gabriel has 22.94. On the provisional base list for 2027, which factors in their three best results from the current season, they stand at 26.15 and 30.45 respectively.

Yesterday, they raced in the opening slalom FEC event at Sugadaira Kogen but failed to finish the second run. Today they tackled a second slalom, followed by giant slalom training tomorrow. Sunday brings a rest day before the next block of races in Hakuba: two giant slaloms on 2 and 3 March, and two slaloms on 4 and 5 March.

Meanwhile, fellow FAE skiers Àlvar Calvo and Max Black competed in the first FIS slalom in Zams, Austria. Calvo placed 20th with a combined time of 1:30.79, 2.66 seconds behind winner Jakob Greber of Austria. He earned 45.03 FIS points, close to his current 40.51, after finishing 23rd in the first run and 11th in the second. Black came 35th in 1:35.52, having been 44th and then 35th across the runs. Pirmin Estruga did not complete his first run. The trio returns to action today for another FIS slalom at the same Austrian venue.