Doris Guenther (AUT) and Aaron March (ITA) have won the second parallel slalom of the 2010 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup. While Guenther led a total podium sweep of Austria on the ladies' side with fellow countrywomen Heidi Neururer and Julia Dujmovits as second and third respectively, March successfully competed in the men's final against Olympic runner-up and current World Cup leader Benjamin Karl (AUT).

The rider from South Tyrol thus celebrated his first ever World Cup win in front of thousands of spectators at the first ever parallel event held on a ramp. Roland Fischnaller (ITA) rounded out the podium in the Moscow, Russia, as third.

After his first ever World Cup win in his 37th start, March was all smiles; especially after he had some problems to get into the right carving mood. "It was pretty hard for me in the beginning. But I got into it better and better with every run I did," the 2010 Olympian (15th) said. However, the rising talent, who had underlined his skills as fourth at the season's first parallel slalom staged in Landgraaf (NED), also took advantage of a riding mistake of his rival for victory. Due to this, "I'm pretty surprised that I was able to win."

In contrary, Benjamin Karl had a few problems to accept his fate at first but easily found his well-known self-confidence again: "I must be jinxed! Just like at the Olympics I do my only mistake in the final," the dominating race boarder of this winter explained. "But well, then I will win the next races." In addition, he also applauded the local organisers: "The slope and the atmosphere were incredible!"

Doris Guenther again strong in a parallel slalom

Doris Guenther, who was able to bring home her season's second podium finish after Landgraaf - revealingly in a parallel slalom - resembled Karl's quote: "It was so much fun to compete in front of so many spectators. I could do more of races like this one," the experienced rider from Austria said.

And Guenther benefitted of her long history in the World Cup in the ladies' final as the second run had to be done again due to a timing problem at the first try. In the end, the 31-years-old underlined her today's outstanding shape.

"Right from the beginning I felt super strong. It is very important for me to claim victory right after the Olympics," the best qualifier of today, who had to settle with the ninth rank at Vancouver, added.

Due to her triumph, Guenther is also back in the race for the Parallel Crystal Globe. With 3,710 points she now sits in second right behind of Olympic champion Nicolien Sauerbreij (NED, 3,800) who missed the head-to-head duels today as 20th.

The next LG Snowboard FIS World Cup stop will take place in Italy from March 11th through 14th. In Valmalenco, the season's second to last competitions in Snowboard Cross (11. + 12.3.), Parallel Giant Slalom (13.3.) and Halfpipe (14.3.) are scheduled.

FISsnowboard.com
Saturday 6 March 2010