Andorran Joan Verdú Storms to 10th in Olympic Giant Slalom

Joan Verdú secured a remarkable 10th place in the Olympic giant slalom in Bormio, recording the fastest second-run time of 1:10.60 to climb nine spots from 19th after the opening run. His combined time of 2:27.29 left him just 0.06 seconds outside the top eight Olympic diploma positions and 0.01 seconds behind ninth-placed Austrian Marco Schwarz.

The Andorran, starting the first run with bib 23 out of 81 on an increasingly icy Bormio slope, clocked 1:16.69—2.77 seconds off leader Lucas Pinheiro Braathen's 1:13.92. Verdú adopted a measured approach, losing time early (+1.01 in the first sector) but gaining momentum with splits of +0.98, +0.47, and +0.31 to end 0.76 seconds shy of diploma contention.

Facing worsening snow and visibility in the second run from bib 12, Verdú delivered a flawless performance, leading provisionally and briefly topping the overall standings. He held second overall at one point before late runners, including podium finishers Odermatt and Pinheiro Braathen, overtook him. Pinheiro Braathen claimed gold in 2:25.00—a first for Brazil—followed by Switzerland's Marco Odermatt in 2:25.58 for silver and compatriot Loïc Meillard in 2:26.17 for bronze.

The achievement ranks as Andorra's second-best Winter Olympics result, trailing Verdú's own ninth in Beijing 2022's giant slalom, where he posted the third-fastest second run. It also tops his season with a better finish than 12th in Sölden.

Post-race, Verdú reflected on his all-out effort amid a tough season: he went "with heart and all the drive to represent the country to the maximum," winning the second run without regrets despite doubts and changes. FAE alpine ski director Roger Vidosa hailed it as a "phenomenal run," with Verdú showing his best version.

Family members Anna and Gerard Verdú, plus partner Laura Escanes, led emotional celebrations trackside with Andorran flags, joined by Secretary of State for Sport Alain Cabanes, Minister of Tourism and Commerce Jordi Torres, Olympic Committee officials, and fans. In Andorra la Vella, supporters packed Verdú's café on Prat de la Creu to watch.