32nd Manuel Cerqueda Memorial for veteran skiers

Escaldes-Engordany, 1 March 2020.

On Sunday 28 February, the traditional ski race for veterans was held, despite being somewhat limited this year due to the health crisis. Without the usual influx of spectators or the usual prize-giving ceremony in order to comply with the established health guidelines, racers from different teams, both national and from neighbouring countries, took part in the Veterans’ Championship, in the 32nd edition of the Manuel Cerqueda Memorial, sponsored by the private bank Andbank.

The race, which is organised annually by Esquí club d’Andorra, was held once again on the Esparver piste in Soldeu-El Tarter and participants competed in the giant slalom category. The veteran category comprises athletes born between 1940 and 1990.

This trophy is a tribute to the pioneers of skiing in Andorra, and especially to the first president of Esquí Club d’Andorra, Manuel Cerqueda i Escaler, who was one of the driving forces behind skiing becoming the country’s national sport. Under his management, Andorra began to establish relations with neighbouring countries in this respect.

Esquí Club d’Andorra was founded in 1945 under the presidency of Manuel Cerqueda and the vice-presidency of Agustí Marfany. In the year of its founding, the club already had 50 members and its main function at that time was to help members to become good skiers.

On 29 November 1965, after much effort, skiing was declared a sport of national interest. Currently, the ECA has more than 250 racers and 1,400 members.

This year’s main results, arranged by time in the following categories, were as follows:

MEN’S

• Tomàs Mijares ECAP 38.98
• Ivan del Moral ECA 40.04
• David Vilanova CET 40.56

WOMEN’S

• Judith Lluent CANMC 43.28
• Marta Compte ECA 45.10
• Meritxell Pifarré ECOA 45.65

You can also find all the results of the trophy on the ski club’s webpage www.ecaclub.ad