Just days after his win at the season's first big air in London last week, Stefan Gimpl also celebrated victory in Barcelona at the second city event of the 2010 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup. The Austrian veteran relegated Switzerland's Gian-Luca Cavigelli to the second rank. 20'000 spectators at Estadio Olimpico saw Gjermund Braaten from Norway round out the podium as third.

The best three riders of the day were only divided by two tenths before entering the third and decisive final jump. Just like last week at Battersea Power Station, Gimpl was in the lead after he had earned 26.8 points for his "Frontside 900". Breathing in his neck with only one tenth behind was runner-up Cavigelli who had scored 26.7 points for his "Backside 1080" - and with 26.6 in third Braaten thanks to an amazing "Backside 1080 Double Cork". But after Gimpl showcased a final "Cab 900" - just like Cavigelli before - the tide turned in Gimpl's favor who said: "This is amazing. This was so close. Gian-Luca (Cavigelli) and me, we were even. I mean our last jumps were the same level." Then he added with a smile that his nine year younger opponent from Switzerland "still has some more years to win some contests."

Maybe it's time for Cavigelli in two weeks when the World Cup circus heads to Stockholm for this winter's third big air: "I'm really pleased how everything is going at the moment. It's awesome to place second two times in a row." The 21-year-old heads to Sweden self-assured: "I'm absolutely motivated. It would be nice if I could grab the win in Stockholm in two weeks."

08/11/2009
FIS news