Gina del Rio is emerging as one of the most intriguing young talents on the cross-country World Cup circuit. As the 2025/2026 Tour de Ski gets underway, the 21-year-old from Andorra enters the stage race with personal bests, strong race rhythm, and a clear mission: to show that elite results are possible even coming from a small nation.

Del Rio’s step forward this winter has been underlined by a series of solid World Cup performances in Davos, where she placed 13th in the sprint and followed up with a 12th place in the 10km freestyle. The latter stands as her strongest distance result at World Cup level to date and further confirms her growing all-round profile. Those results also propelled the Andorran skier into the lead of the U23 World Cup standings, earning her the green bib ahead of the Tour de Ski.

Also Read – Cross-Country World Cup 2025/2026: Updated standings after Davos

“It’s super nice to be in the green bib, but I know that for now it’s only a bib. I will try to maintain it until the end of the season,” del Rio said, according to FIS and FondoItalia. “It’s a good signal, but the goal is to keep it until the end.”

Confidence born from progress

Still early in her senior career, Del Rio has shown a steady progression across multiple formats. Rather than being limited to one discipline, she has demonstrated competitiveness in both sprint and distance races, an important asset on a calendar that demands versatility. Her performances in Davos were particularly noteworthy given the venue’s altitude and demanding profile, factors that often expose weaknesses rather than hide them.

“I already felt good in the sprint and then the 10km was super good for me,” she said. “It was impressive because I had never raced in Davos before, and it’s a very particular track. My shape is much better than at the start of the season. I’m feeling good and motivated for what’s coming.”

Training and living at altitude in Andorra has become a natural part of Del Rio’s development, and she has previously pointed to this environment as a possible advantage when racing on courses that require sustained climbing and aerobic efficiency. While she remains cautious about drawing direct conclusions, the profiles of several World Cup venues align with her physiological background.

Tour de Ski challenge and ambitions

The Tour de Ski now represents a new benchmark in that progression. Widely regarded as one of the most physically and mentally demanding events of the season, the multi-stage race tests athletes across sprint, distance, and cumulative fatigue, culminating with the decisive Final Climb up Alpe Cermis. For Del Rio, the Tour is an event she followed closely while growing up, and this winter she lines up not as a spectator, but as a contender eager to measure herself against the very best.

“I really like the Tour de Ski, especially the Final Climb. You can see big changes in the general overall standings — it’s my favorite race to watch. Racing, I haven’t finished a Tour yet, so I don’t know,” she said.

Despite the inherent difficulty of the climb and the depth of talent in the women’s field, del Rio enters the Tour with a growth mindset. She cites American star Jessie Diggins — a World Cup leader and multiple Tour winner — as one of the athletes most capable of taking the overall title.

“Jessie Diggins is one of the girls who could win the Tour de Ski, and if I have to say one, I would say Jessie because she’s super complete. She can do everything, and she does everything well, so she could win.”

Read More – Tour de Ski 2025/2026: Complete program

Inspiring a small nation

Representing Andorra carries special meaning for Del Rio. In a country where alpine skiing traditionally eclipses Nordic disciplines, her presence on the World Cup and at marquee events is increasingly visible.

“Getting good results, being from Andorra, is not easy. We don’t have as many resources as Norway, Sweden or the other big countries,” she said. “So, I think that’s the good part of being in the big international competitions; people get inspired and see that being in the World Cup is possible if you’re from Andorra.”

With her green U23 bib, solid World Cup results, and confidence at the start of the season, Gina del Rio is not just competing — she’s quietly making a case as one of the sport’s most promising young competitors, and an inspiration for skiers from smaller nations.

Also Read – Tour de Ski 2025/2026: Favorites, challengers, and key storylines ahead of the start

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