Andorran Skiers Shine in World Cup and European Cup Amid Mixed Results

Andorran skier Carla Mijares crashed out during the first run of the women's slalom World Cup in Courchevel, France, while in 26th position. Starting with bib 50 on a heavily rutted piste, she recorded the 26th-fastest time at the first intermediate, trailing the leader by 0.91 seconds. Her run ended in the flat section after clipping a gate to the right following a triple combination.

Afterward, Mijares expressed satisfaction with her race-day mindset, marking progress from last season's struggles. She noted the track felt cleaner than anticipated for late starters, enabling strong skiing until the mistake, and emphasized the importance of precision in key sections to seize such chances. This marked her fourth World Cup start this season—45th in Levi, an early exit in Gurgl from top-30 contention, and 47th in Copper Mountain—along with 23rd in a Mayrhofen European Cup slalom. She will compete in European Cup slaloms in Ahrntal, Italy, on December 19 and 21 with Íria Medina, before the World Cup in Semmering, Austria, on December 28.

Jordina Caminal launched her season strongly at the European Cup downhill in St. Moritz, Switzerland. On the first day, she finished 12th in 1:34.16, 1.07 seconds behind winner Anna Schilcher of Austria, securing 22 points and improving her FIS points from 45.78 to 35.47. Racing with bib 5 on a course slowing at the top, she posted the 35th-best first sector, then 12th in the second, seventh in the third, and 17th in the fourth. She had placed seventh in the prior day's training.

The next day, Caminal delivered a career-best fourth in 1:33.76, 0.87 seconds off Leonie Zegg's winning time of 1:32.89, adding 50 points for 72 total and seventh in the downhill standings. Her FIS points dropped further to 31.08, Andorra's best in a speed event at this level. Starting with bib 2 amid early snow and improving conditions, she described the result as a major confidence boost despite narrowly missing the podium, which included Schilcher second and Sara Thaler third. Caminal credited solid St. Moritz training after a brief preseason limited by back issues, while noting room for improvement in the final sector.

Andorran Ski Federation manager Carles Visa voiced full backing for men's leader Joan Verdú despite his slow start, including recent World Cup outings in Sölden and elsewhere. Visa acknowledged underwhelming results in the last two races but praised Verdú's skiing quality, predicting success at Alta Badia and Adelboden World Cups, and even the Olympics. He stressed minor adjustments would return Verdú to form, citing past top-15 and top-20 finishes as proof of his potential.

Visa also highlighted team depth, with Cande Moreno and Gina del Rio delivering consistent top-30 results, and mentioned Irineu as a promising talent sidelined recently. For a small federation, such performers represent pride and collective club effort. On Olympics preparation, he urged early-season momentum to build confidence for potential diplomas or medals.

In para-alpine skiing, Roger Puig secured a career-best fourth at the Santa Caterina World Cup, reaching 117 km/h, earning 50 points, and climbing to fifth in the rankings—his 23rd top-10 internationally. Pirmin Estruga finished fourth in a FIS slalom in Ruka, while Maià Font and Marc Fernàndez failed to complete the second run after 13th and 14th in the first, and Àlvar Calvo did not finish his opening run. Cande Moreno placed 39th in the first Val d'Isère World Cup downhill training.