Andorran Skiers Gabriel and Cornella Nab Podium at Korean Nationals Slalom

Andorran alpine skiers Bartumeu Gabriel and Xavier Cornella claimed second and third places at the South Korean Nationals slalom in Yongpyong on Tuesday, behind winner Zak Carrick-Smith of Britain, who clocked 1:22.71. Gabriel finished in 1:23.46 (+0.75), rallying from fifth after the first run (41.25) with the second-fastest second-run time of 42.21 amid soft, uneven snow. Cornella, tied for second after the opener at 40.96 alongside Slovakia's Adam Novacek (+0.93 from leader Carrick-Smith's 40.03), slipped to third overall (1:23.86, +1.18) after mistakes in his second descent.

The high-caliber field featured Norway's Mathias Skaaland Larsen (FIS 16.61 points, 9th), Sweden's Adam Palmer (21.19, 5th), Novacek (22.67, 7th) and Carrick-Smith (23). Gabriel entered with 22.94 FIS points and earned 26 from the race; Cornella had 23.00 and gained 29. A second FIS slalom planned for the day was postponed to next week.

Gabriel hailed his recovery: conditions shifted with soft, irregular snow early on, leaving him 1.30 seconds off pace in fifth, but he adapted for a strong second run and the second-best split against elite rivals. Cornella acknowledged the intensity: the Brit led the first run, he held second, but Gabriel shone in the second while his errors dropped him to third amid top competition.

The podium bolsters their Olympic push, though the Andorran Olympic Committee named Cornella to Andorra's seven-member winter team on Monday—alongside Joan Verdú, Cande Moreno, Irineu Esteve, Gina del Rio, Carla Mijares and Jordina Caminal—based on his superior average of three best seasonal FIS results over Gabriel. This marks the Principality's largest Winter Olympics delegation ever. Specific dates include women's downhill on February 8, women's combined on 10, Verdú's giant slalom on 12, Cornella's slalom on 16 and Mijares's on 18 in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Cross-country events span February 7-21 for del Rio and Esteve.

Gabriel and Cornella move to Alpensia for Wednesday training before Thursday's Far East Cup slalom, at Europa Cup level.

Carla Mijares did not finish the first run of Sunday's World Cup slalom in Špindlerův Mlýn, Czech Republic, from bib 22—her third straight DNF this season—after arriving late to a gate, overcorrecting and crashing. Tibia pain has curtailed training, coach Josh Alayrach said, eroding race rhythm since Flachau despite solid prep and warm-up. A pre-start delay affected focus, but he emphasized respecting race pace more while targeting top-30 consistency. Upcoming: Europa Cup slaloms in Hasliberg, Switzerland, February 10-11; Olympics slalom February 18; World Cup finale March 15 in Åre, Sweden. Mijares ranks 33rd in Europa Cup overall with 16 points.

Cande Moreno races Monday's rescheduled Europa Cup super-G in Orcières, France, then World Cup downhill and super-G in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, January 28-31. Caminal stays in Andorra recovering from back issues.

In ski mountaineering, Switzerland's Rémi Bonnet won Sunday's Comapedrosa Andorra World Cup vertical race in Arinsal despite recent fever, timing 27:21 over a 700m climb from Les Marrades base to La Capa feet—his fifth straight Arinsal vertical win and sixth consecutive Andorran victory—edging Austria's Paul Verbnjak by nine seconds. Italy's Matteo Sostizzo took third (+33), followed by France's Samuel Equy (+41) and Spain's Antonio Alcalde (+47). Bonnet credited mental focus despite not being at full strength. France's Axelle Gachet-Mollaret dominated women in 31:44—her fourth Arinsal vertical (2021-23, 2026; absent 2024 for maternity)—ahead of Emily Harrop (+55) and Sarah Dreier (+1:13).

Andorrans Max Palmitjavila placed 37th (31:50) and Marc Casanovas 40th (32:50); Palmitjavila praised the home crowd. The sprint follows Monday with Palmitjavila, Casanovas, Oriol Olm and Lea Ancion entered; over 100 athletes from 20 nations compete in the Olympic-format event at La Capa base, live on international channels including RTVA.

Lucas Pagès closed the telemark World Cup in Melchsee-Frutt, Switzerland, 16th overall on 91 points, with 17th (14 points) Friday and 22nd (9 points) Saturday in parallel sprints.