Introduction
The Italian Dolomites provided yet another spectacular backdrop for world-class snowboarding action as the Visa FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup tour delivered thrilling Parallel Giant Slalom (PGS) racing on Thursday. Despite dense fog rolling across the mountainside, competitors navigated the challenging course with exceptional skill and determination. The day belonged to two standout athletes: Roland Fischnaller of Italy and Sabine Payer of Austria, who both demonstrated why they remain forces to be reckoned with in alpine snowboarding.
The Carezza race venue, known for its technical difficulty and passionate home crowd support, witnessed history as Italian snowboarders achieved a long-awaited milestone. Meanwhile, the women’s competition showcased the depth of talent on the World Cup circuit, with both established champions and rising contenders battling through foggy conditions that tested even the most experienced riders.
Historic Italian Men’s Podium Sweep
Roland Fischnaller’s Victory Path
In a remarkable achievement that defied age expectations, 45-year-old Roland Fischnaller claimed his 13th career PGS victory and 24th overall World Cup win. Making his 160th career World Cup PGS start, Fischnaller became the fourth different Italian man to win this season, cementing Italy’s dominance in the discipline. His journey to the top step began with a legendary first-round battle against 40-year-old Austrian rival Benjamin Karl, who had already secured two second-place finishes this season.
Leveraging his intimate knowledge of the home snow conditions, Fischnaller methodically eliminated competitors throughout the knockout rounds. His path to victory included defeating Alexander Payer of Austria before taking on two younger Italian teammates in the later rounds. This triumph marks his third victory in Carezza, a venue where he has consistently performed at an elite level throughout his storied career.
The victory showcased Fischnaller’s enduring technical prowess and tactical intelligence. His ability to maintain peak performance well into his mid-forties serves as inspiration to veteran athletes across winter sports disciplines.
Aaron March Climbs Overall Standings
Securing second place was Aaron March of Italy, whose exceptional season form continues to build momentum. Following a third-place finish in Mylin and a commanding victory in Cortina last week, March’s latest podium finish propelled him to the top of both the overall and PGS standings. This achievement earns him the prestigious yellow bib for the next race, symbolizing his leadership position in the championship race.
March’s 24th career podium demonstrates his consistency and competitive longevity. His technical refinement and strategic racing approach have made him a formidable competitor against younger challengers. As the season progresses, March stands as a serious contender for the overall championship title.
Mirko Felicetti Completes Italian Dominance
Rounding out the all-Italian podium sweep was Mirko Felicetti, who won the small final to claim third place. This marks his second podium of the season and 14th of his career, showcasing Italy’s remarkable depth in men’s parallel snowboarding. The podium sweep represents a historic achievement that Italian snowboarding fans had anticipated throughout the season.
Upsets and Surprises in Men’s Competition
The day’s most stunning development came when Maurizio Bormolini’s impressive podium streak came to an abrupt end. Austrian veteran Andreas Prommegger deployed his extensive experience to execute a late-race surge, edging out Bormolini in the first knockout round and sending the tour leader home early. Prommegger continued his giant-killing performance with a quarterfinal victory against Edwin Coratti of Italy.
Last year’s Carezza champion Radoslav Yankov of Bulgaria struggled throughout the day, failing to qualify for the knockout rounds entirely. Similarly, Tim Mastnak of Slovenia could not replicate his second-place Carezza finish from the previous season, suffering a devastating DNF in the first round.
Sabine Payer Extends Winning Streak
Dramatic Final Against Krol-Walas
Austrian powerhouse Sabine Payer continued her blazing season start with her second consecutive victory and third straight podium finish. The big final against Poland’s Aleksandra Krol-Walas developed into an intense battle between two elite competitors. Payer ultimately prevailed in the close match, securing her first career victory in Carezza and 12th individual World Cup win.
Despite her dominant season performance, Payer expressed genuine surprise at the result, demonstrating the humility that has defined her championship mindset. Her ability to perform under pressure while maintaining respect for her competitors exemplifies professional sportsmanship at the highest level.
Women’s Semifinal Upsets
The women’s semifinals delivered unexpected drama when Krol-Walas pulled off a significant upset victory against Japan’s Tsubaki Miki. This result earned the experienced Polish racer her first podium of the season and third second-place finish in Carezza. Notably, Krol-Walas will not compete in Saturday’s upcoming race.
Miki found redemption by winning the small final, earning her second podium of the season and 25th of her career. Meanwhile, Czech Republic’s Zuzana Maderova continued her strong performance run with a fourth-place finish.
Last year’s Carezza champion Jasmin Coratti of Italy struggled significantly, falling to teammate Lucia Dalmasso in the first knockout round. Italian women generally faced challenging conditions, with both Dalmasso and Elisa Caffont eliminated in the quarterfinals. Swiss veteran Julie Zogg was disqualified during qualifying rounds.
Championship Standings Update
Women’s PGS Standings:
- Sabine Payer (AUT) – 296 points
- Tsubaki Miki (JPN) – 245 points
- Lucia Dalmasso (ITA) – 211 points
- Elisa Caffont (ITA) – 197 points
- Zuzana Maderova (CZE) – 160 points
Men’s PGS Standings:
- Aaron March (ITA) – 285 points
- Maurizio Bormolini (ITA) – 249 points
- Benjamin Karl (AUT) – 211 points
- Mirko Felicetti (ITA) – 210 points
- Stefan Baumeister (GER) – 150 points
Looking Ahead to Davos
The World Cup tour faces a rapid turnaround as competition shifts to Davos, Switzerland for the season’s first Parallel Slalom (PSL) race. This format change presents a significant challenge since riders have focused exclusively on PGS racing throughout the opening month. The Davos event will be the final competition before the holiday break, adding extra significance to results.
Athletes must quickly adapt their technical approach and mental preparation for the faster, more aggressive PSL format. The transition tests versatility and adaptability, separating true all-around competitors from specialists.
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