Andorran Skiers End Olympic Debuts with Mixed Results Amid Injuries

**Andorran skiers wrap up Olympic debuts with mixed results amid injuries and home World Cup anticipation**

Gina del Rio ended her first Winter Olympics appearance with a 35th-place finish in the women's 10km individual skating event at Tesero, marking Andorra's best-ever female cross-country result. The 22-year-old FAE skier clocked 25:25.9, finishing 2:36.7 behind gold medallist Frida Karlsson of Sweden, who secured her second Olympic title ahead of compatriot Ebba Andersson and American Jessie Diggins. Del Rio, who placed 44th in the 20km skiathlon and 47th in the classic sprint qualification, finished 15 seconds shy of the top 30, held by Finland's Vilma Nissinen.

Del Rio described improved sensations compared to her prior races, noting she felt more comfortable on skis despite the demanding course and her less-than-full fitness. "It was a very tough race because I gave everything I had," she said, adding that while the final event left a better taste, she remained unsatisfied overall with her Olympic showing. The skier, who has hit the top 30 three times in 10km World Cup races this season—including 12th in Davos—highlighted the circuit's steep climbs and intense competition.

In alpine events, Jordina Caminal did not finish the women's super-G in Cortina d'Ampezzo, one of 17 retirements out of 43 starters—the highest rate (39.5%) in Olympic super-G history. Starting with bib 32, the FAE skier performed well initially, lying 20th after the first split just 0.60 behind the leader. She struggled after a jump landing and right-hand turn, missing the next gate. "I skied well at the start with good feelings and attacking, but I hesitated at one gate and that took me out," Caminal said. She took positives from her 24th place in the Olympic downhill—the nation's best female result in that discipline—and looked ahead to further growth.

Both athletes competed in Milan-Cortina 2026, where injuries sidelined flag-bearer Cande Moreno after a fall in the downhill at Olympia delle Tofane. The 25-year-old ruptured her left ACL and right thumb ligament, requiring knee surgery on 12 March and about six months' recovery. Despite the setback at a career high—featuring a podium in Sarntal super-G and fourth in the Europa Cup overall—Moreno stayed resolute. "I know I'll come back stronger," she said, drawing inspiration from Italy's Federica Brignone, who won super-G gold 10 months after a double leg fracture.

Moreno's absence, alongside that of Lindsey Vonn—who underwent three surgeries on her left leg after her own Olympic crash—will reshape the women's World Cup speed finals at Àliga in El Tarter from 27 February to 1 March. Organising committee director David Hidalgo called it a loss of "the national heroine and the international heroine," but predicted tighter races. Vonn leads downhill standings with 400 points, ahead of Germany's Emma Aicher by 150; Mikaela Shiffrin tops the overall. "What seemed decided is no longer so—the competition is tighter than ever," Hidalgo said, praising Caminal's pressure management and expecting high-level fields and strong crowds. The event will feature Raça Bruna sponsorship to highlight local traditions.

Andorra's delegation has no races today, with Joan Verdú's giant slalom tomorrow and slaloms next week for Xavier Cornella and Carla Mijares.