Albania made its Winter Olympic debut today at the “Milano Cortina 2026” Games. Skier Denni Xhepa finished 34th out of 42 competitors in the Super-G event, completing the race in 1:31.72.

The podium was dominated by Switzerland. Franjo von Allmen took the gold medal, his third in this Olympics, while Ryan Cochran-Siegle of the U.S. earned silver. The bronze went to Marco Odermatt, also from Switzerland.

At 23 years old, Xhepa became the first Albanian to represent the national colors in a speed skiing event at the Winter Olympics. Four years ago, at the Beijing Games, he competed in a different discipline and finished 28th.

Xhepa will compete in two more events: the giant slalom on February 14 at 11:30 in Bormio, and the slalom on February 16 at 10:00, also in Bormio.

This is the first Winter Olympics where Albania is represented by four athletes: Lara Colturi, Denni Xhepa, Lisa Brunga, and Semire Dauti.

/a.c/