Fraenzi Maegert-Kohli and Matthew Morison have secured victory in the first Parallel Giant Slalom of the 2010 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup. The Swiss rider successfully competed against current World Cup leader Amelie Kober from Germany in the ladies' final of the race which was scheduled for the cancelled event in Limone Piemonte, Italy. In the battle for third it was Kimiko Zakreski (CAN) who crossed the finish line ahead of Austria's Claudia Riegler. On the men's side, Canada's Matthew Morison also relegated the bearer of the yellow World Cup leader jersey, Benjamin Karl (AUT), to the second spot. Mathieu Bozzetto (FRA) who edged off Andreas Prommegger from Austria in the small final rounded out the podium as third.

At the first out of four competitions taking place at the first ever World Cup stop in Telluride, also the sole on US-American soil, the total of 115 riders coming from more than 20 nations not only had to proof endurance but also patience. Due to some technical problems the qualifiers had to be delayed which also led into a postponing of the K.o.-rounds of the top 16 ladies and men. A fact which was anything but a good thing for later on men's winner as Matthew Morison stated: "Waiting is not really my thing. It kind of throws me away."

However, he got better and better into the race with every run he did. "I fought back with every single gate, with every single turn. But I didn't expect this result as there are so many good riders who are all able to take home the win. But luckily I had some good runs and was pretty fast" the Burketon, Ontario, resident said. On his way to his fourth World Cup victory the 22-years-old first eliminated Justin Reiter (USA), then Patrick Bussler (GER) in the quarter finals before making it with a close lead against Mathieu Bozzetto (0.31sec) into the finals against Benjamin Karl who threw away all chances for a top podium result due to a riding mistake.

After the Austrian World Cup leader had catched up the little margin of 0.19 seconds of the first run he got shocked during a backside turn "which definitely took away all of my speed" the reigning Parallel Slalom World Champion analysed.

But although he had to accept defeat Benjamin Karl wasn't disappointed at all as he was able to celebrate a successful comeback from a four weeks lasting shank bone injury. "I was mountaineering when I suffered a very deep cut straight down to the bone, right there where you have contact with the boots. So I wasn't able to ride at all the last weeks and thus I'm very relieved that I brought home this nice result although I still recognise the wound. It was just a super day."

Maegert-Kohli full of joy and relief

The female reigning PSL World Champion Fraenzi Maegert-Kohli also experienced a perfect day after she had undergone several ups and downs over the past two seasons. After a break of two and a half years (Stoneham 2007) the 27-years-old Steffisburg resident was able to celebrate a PGS victory again, her career's fourth World Cup win in total. "I'm simply full of joy as it's a super good feeling to get rewarded for an intensive summer and autumn training." After her triumph the fifth ranked of the last Swiss nationals is positively looking ahead: "I was and still am very confident for this season."

The same for runner-up Amelie Kober from Germany who was able to tie on to her good season's early form after coming back from illness. "I'm very pleased with today." Especially as the 2006 Olympic Silver medallist secured the national norm for Vancouver 2010 in the first race of this winter. "It's awesome to clinch the needed top-8-result right now."

FISsnowboard.com
Wednesday 16 December 2009

Second Parallel Giant Slalom in Telluride

Alena Zavarzina (RUS) and Jasey Jay Anderson (CAN) have won the season's second Parallel Giant Slalom of the 2010 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup in Telluride, Colorado, USA. The Russian edged off Marion Kreiner from Austria in the ladies final thus securing her career's first ever World Cup win. In the Austrian battle for third, Ina Meschik crossed the finish line ahead of Heidi Neururer. On the men's side, it was Canada's Jasey Jay Anderson who relegated his fellow countryman Michael Lambert to the runner-up spot. Rok Flander (SLO) rounded out the podium by winning over 2006 Olympic Silver medallist Simon Schoch (SUI) in the duel for third.

After Alena Zavarzina had missed the finals two days ago as 32nd, everything worked out fine for today's surprise winner of the second out of four World Cup competitions taking place in Telluride. In all of her heats against Gloria Kotnik (SLO), Claudia Riegler (AUT) and Ina Meschik, the 20-years-old was the dominating race boarder. Only in the finals against Kreiner, the young gun from Russia had to catch up the slight margin of 15 hundredths. Due to this, a lot of cheering took place in the finish sack after Zavarzina had secured her first ever victory in her eighth World Cup start. "It was hard. I knew that I can ride fast but today I proofed it to myself, to my team, my coaches and mother Russia. It's awesome!"

Marion Kreiner was also pleased with the result although she had to concede victory by losing the final by only 0.47 seconds. The 28-years-old Graz resident was already on the verge of her career's second World Cup win when she made the decisive mistake after half of the second run: "I got shocked when I entered the steep part. This cost precious time." However, the reigning Parallel Giant Slalom World Champion added: "Of course I would have preferred the first rank but I'm pleased with the runner-up position."

Double victory for Canada's men squad

What Austria didn't come off with although it had three ladies in the semi finals, Canada did successfully in the men's competition: the celebration of a double victory. And once again it was snowboard veteran Jasey Jay Anderson who enjoyed the feeling of standing on top of the podium after the 34-years-old Canadian Rocket had been slightly disappointed with his fifth rank two days ago: "On Tuesday, I couldn't figure out the right equipment so I wasn't in a good mood. That definitely changed today. The old man learned from the experience. It was brilliant as everything, the course, the snow and the weather was perfect. Everything went my way.

Based on his career's 25th World Cup victory the father of two will enjoy his last season as an active athlete while also breathing down World Cup leader Benjamin Karl's (2,060) neck by only being 10 points behind. "Well, I will definitely start in a few World Cup races so I will be semi-retired if you can say so. But I will compete for the fun next year."

However, Canada's alpine snowboarding team doesn't have to be worried about finding the right follow-ups as there are two guys waiting in the wings: Matthew Morison who had won the race two days ago and unfortunately fractured his arm today after crashing in the qualifiers and Michael Lambert who had secured his career's best result today. But especially Lambert had to wait quite a long time until he finally got the knack. "It has been black years for me. My coaches always said, stay calm and focused and good things will come to you. But I was so obsessed with results - especially as a young rider coming to the World Cup circus. That it worked out on Tuesday (6th rank) and today is just perfect. Tons of pressure have gone and I know now that I can do it" the 23-years-old said.

FISsnowboard.com
Friday 18 December 2009