Andorran Skiers Shine in Far East Cup and World Cup Prep

Andorran alpine skiers wrapped up a busy week of competition and preparation across Europe and Asia, with strong showings in the Far East Cup and ongoing efforts in World Cup events.

Xavier Cornella of the Andorran Ski Federation (FAE) achieved his second-best slalom result of the season in the first race of the Far East Cup (FEC) at Hakuba, Japan. He finished seventh with a time of 1:24.89, 1.19 seconds behind winner Aingeru Garay of Spain, earning 25.38 FIS points. His teammate Bartumeu Gabriel placed 19th in 1:25.96, 2.26 seconds off the pace, for 34.71 FIS points. Cornella followed up with his third-best slalom performance in the second FEC event there, taking 13th and 25.80 FIS points, 1.24 seconds behind the victor, while Gabriel ended 26th, 2.22 seconds back.

Jordina Caminal competed in the World Cup downhill at Val di Fassa, Italy, following the event at Soldeu-el Tarter. In the first training run, she clocked 1:25.57, 2.65 seconds off leader Ilka Stuhec of Slovenia (1:22.92), who missed a gate; Romane Miradoli (France) was second at +0.17, and Breezy Johnson (USA) third at +0.34. She placed 37th overall in that session. The second training saw her 48th in 1:25.13, 2.89 seconds behind Nina Ortlieb of Austria.

In the opening downhill—rescheduled from Crans Montana—Caminal started with bib 48 and finished 48th in 1:23.92, 2.52 seconds behind Italian winner Laura Pirovano and 0.97 seconds from the 30th-place points zone. She passed intermediates in 32nd, 43rd, 45th, and 48th. Caminal viewed the run positively, noting she avoided gate misses from training and aimed to close gaps to European Cup-level skiers like Anna Schilcher or Sara Thaler for a top-30 shot. Coach Xoque Bellsolà praised her solid progress and potential, saying she delivered as expected with room to improve. A second downhill follows Saturday at 10.45, then super-G Sunday at the same time.

Meanwhile, Joan Verdú prepared for Saturday's World Cup giant slalom at Kranjska Gora, Slovenia—the penultimate race before finals in Lillehammer, Norway. The FAE and VAN DEER-Red Bull athlete, 24th in the giant slalom standings with 60 points, trained Monday to Wednesday at Reiteralm, Austria, on a track mimicking Kranjska Gora's salty, warm snow conditions. He rested Thursday before traveling; first run starts at 9.30, second at 12.30. Verdú was ninth there last season and 10th in the Milan-Cortina Olympics giant slalom; recent results include 12th in Sölden, 16th in Copper, DNFs at Val d'Isère, Beaver Creek, and Saalbach, 19th in Alta Badia, and 20th in Adelboden.

Gina del Rio is also racing this weekend, in the World Cup cross-country sprint at Lahti, Finland.