Andorran Skier Gina del Rio Finishes 47th in Olympic Classic Sprint Qualifier

Andorran cross-country skier Gina del Rio placed 47th in the classic sprint qualification at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, finishing 7.62 seconds outside the top-30 cutoff in a field of 89 athletes.

The 22-year-old, starting with bib 21 on a course longer than usual amid challenging snow, recorded 3:56.85—20.64 seconds behind Sweden's Linn Svahn, who set the pace. American Lauren Jortberg marked the threshold for quarterfinals that Del Rio could not match. Despite her sprinting credentials, including junior world champion and under-23 runner-up titles, Del Rio has never qualified for a classic sprint at World Cup level. She cited poor sensations, especially on the longest climb, in her second Olympic outing following a 44th place in the 20km skiathlon marred by pole issues.

"I wasn't fully comfortable on my skis, particularly on the main uphill, and I'm not sure what went wrong," she said. "I've never qualified for a classic sprint in the World Cup, so it was the event I had least confidence in, even if people often see me as a sprinter. The sensations weren't the best technically or physically—it's been tough days, and I don't know if I'm at my top form."

Sweden made history with a clean podium sweep: Svahn won gold in 4:03.05, ahead of Jonna Sundling by 1.59 seconds and Maja Dahlqvist. Norway's Julie Bjervig Drivenes and Kristine Stavaas Skistad took fourth and fifth, with the US's Julia Kern sixth.

Del Rio took a rest day Wednesday ahead of her final event: Thursday's 10km individual skating race in Predazzo, starting at 1:00 p.m. with bib 21 at 1:10 p.m. She completed a light skating session of just over an hour at Passo Lavazè to limit fatigue. Battling cough, throat mucus, and neck discomfort, her team set no ranking targets, focusing on free skiing to cap her debut Games positively.

"I feel okay, a bit tired," she said. "The easiest would be not to start, but I'll race and give what I have. I want to compete, then head home to review everything and rest." Sensations in training were average, neither poor nor outstanding.

Meanwhile, alpine skier Cande Moreno has arrived back in Andorra to begin recovery at Ordino's sports training center after her Sunday downhill crash in Cortina d'Ampezzo, which damaged her left knee's anterior cruciate ligament and right thumb ligament. She awaits surgery once swelling reduces, aiming for a six-month timeline and preseason return in South America. Moreno posted from the facility on social media.

Alpine teammate Jordina Caminal closes her Olympics Thursday in the super-G at 11:30 a.m. in Cortina d'Ampezzo with bib 32 of 44, after 24th in downhill. Recent giant slalom training built her technical and mental confidence on a track mimicking race conditions. "Expectations are more about attitude and skiing than results," she said. "I'm motivated to attack and take risks." The Andorran Ski Federation emphasized mindset over outcomes.