Suter Wins Opening Downhill at Andorra World Cup

Switzerland's Corinne Suter won the opening downhill of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Andorra 2026 on El Tarter's Àliga piste, finishing in 1:31.62 to beat Austria's Nina Ortlieb by 0.11 seconds and Italy's Sofia Goggia by 0.24. The victory was Suter's sixth in the World Cup and fourth in downhill, her first since December 2021 after an injury sidelined her for much of the season. She described the piste as one of her favourites despite the warm weather, adding that she loved racing there and planned holidays with her partner once retired.

Germany's Emma Aicher took fourth (+0.53), her compatriot Kira Weidle-Winkelmann 11th, and Czech Ester Ledecká 10th. Italy's Federica Brignone skipped the event due to knee problems, having also missed the second training run. Lindsey Vonn remained top of the downhill standings on 400 points despite injury, ahead of Aicher (306) and Weidle-Winkelmann (256).

Andorran Jordina Caminal achieved her best World Cup downhill result in 40th place with 1:35.46, 3.84 seconds behind Suter and just 0.97 seconds off the top-30 points positions. Starting 48th before around 450 spectators—mostly schoolchildren—she led early but faded in the final sector from leg fatigue. "It felt much more special than others, especially the finish with all the kids cheering," she said, noting strong support from volunteers.

In Saturday's super-G, Aicher claimed victory in 1:26.72 ahead of New Zealand's Alice Robinson (+0.88) and Suter (+0.98). Goggia was sixth, Brignone 15th, and Ledecká fourth. Caminal did not finish after missing a gate early in her run with bib 56, despite an explosive start amid crowd support.

Ahead of the races, top skiers praised the piste's compact snow in warm conditions. Ortlieb, fastest in Friday's training (1:32.26), called Andorra a calendar highlight with exceptional team hospitality. Goggia described the snow as perfect, Aicher the layout strong, and Weidle-Winkelmann the conditions responsive. Caminal improved to 43rd in that session from 45th the previous day, feeling at home on the fast track.

Organiser David Hidalgo noted packed stands, including nearly 500 schoolchildren Friday, with a fan village at Hotel Nòrdic offering exhibitors and activities. Another super-G is set for Sunday at 10.15am.