Back like she never left, Ledecka wins in return
Jan 20, 2024·Alpine Snowboard
First race of the season, no problem. Ester Ledecka (CZE) ditched her skis for the weekend to jump back on the board and proved she is still one of the best.
In Ledecka’s first FIS Alpine Snowboard World Cup race this season, she cruised past the competition on the way to the big final. She posted the fastest qualifying time and disposed of the field to set up a dream final against Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER). The German has dominated the women’s tour with four wins in five races.
The two dueled down the mountain until Hofmeister took a turn too wide midway, allowing Ledecka to capitalize on the mistake and capture her 22nd World Cup podium win and 36th podium.
“It is amazing, I am happy to be back and could chase the best of the girls and prove I am still on the top. I am very happy for that and a big thank you to the organizers, it was snowing hard all day, so it is not easy to make the slope very nice and they made an amazing job,” Ledecka said.
The Olympic gold medalist and world champion was not intimidated by facing the dominant Hofmeister in the final or the dumping snow conditions. Ledecka came in aiming for just one thing.
“There are many good girls, I tried not to underestimate anyone. I am going with the same mindset on every run, I am just trying to be the faster one at the finish,” Ledecka said.
The tour may hope Ledecka returns to the skis after her dominating performance in her return. However, the Czech rider seems happy to be back, strapped in on the snowboard.
“It for sure will not be the only one because we have one more race tomorrow. I will go tomorrow and then probably catch some more,” Ledecka said of her future schedule this season.
Ledecka’s presence could dramatically change the women’s season as it appeared Hofmeister was running away with every title. The German settled for second, her fifth individual podium this season and 39th of her career.
The two will face off once again as the riders will tackle the same mountain on Sunday for another parallel slalom race in Pamporovo, Bulgaria.
Behind the top two, Miki Tsubaki (JPN) continued her consistent season with a third-place finish. It was the third podium of the season for the world champion. Ledecka’s Czech teammate Zuzana Maderova (CZE) took fourth.
The other top contenders on tour had rougher outings. Sabine Schoeffmann (AUT), Lucia Dalmasso (ITA) and Julie Zogg (SUI) are all top four in the overall standings but, all three suffered defeats in the quarterfinals. They will try to improve to crash the podium on Sunday.
Women’s Parallel Slalom Standings after Race 3 of 6
Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER) – 280 points
Sabine Schoeffmann (AUT) – 172 points
Lucia Dalmasso (ITA) – 154 points
Julie Zogg (SUI) – 136 points
Jasmin Coratti (ITA) – 115 points
Women’s Overall Standings
Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER) – 509 points
Lucia Dalmasso (ITA) – 379 points
Sabine Schoeffmann (AUT) – 282 points
Tsubaki Miki (JPN) – 276 points
Jasmin Coratti (ITA) – 249 points
On the men’s side all eyes were on hometown hero Radoslav Yankov (BUL). The Bulgarian was riding in his hometown and had the raucous crowd on his side.
Yankov gave it all he had as he took out previous discipline leader Arvid Auner (AUT) on his way to the semifinals. He pushed a bit too much in the semis as he missed a gate and lost to Edwin Coratti (ITA). Yankov went on to win the small final to make his ninth career World Cup podium for his hometown fans.
Daniele Bagozza (ITA) took the glory in an all-Italian final over Coratti. The two riders have been some of the most consistent this season and Bagozza loved seeing his compatriot in the final.
“It is fun when we are both in the big final and on the podium, it’s fun. When it happens in the quarterfinals or semifinal it’s tough but in the final, it’s fun for me,” Bagozza said.
It is the second win of the season for Bagozza. He won the parallel slalom race in Davos earlier this season. The heavy snow was no problem for the Italian.
“It was a beautiful day, beautiful snow conditions but not so good day. But the track was very good and on fire. That is what gave me strength and why I am happy because I did a good race,” Bagozza said.
Coratti settled for second, his third podium of the season. Lee Sangho (KOR) pulled off a few upsets and showed off his potential with a fourth-place finish.
It was a bad day for the usually dominant Austrian team. None of their riders made the semifinals. Andreas Prommegger (SUI) was the only one to make the quarters, before losing to Bagozza. Overall leader Benjamin Karl (AUT) lost in the first round of the knockouts, as did three other Austrian men.
Men’s Parallel Slalom Standings after Race 3 of 6:
Daniele Bagozza (ITA) – 240 points
Edwin Coratti (ITA) – 185 points
Arvid Auner (AUT) – 178 points
Maurizio Bormolini (ITA) – 158 points
Radoslav Yankov (BUL) – 124 points
Men’s Overall Standings:
Benjamin Karl (AUT) – 347 points
Edwin Coratti (ITA) – 339 points
Maurizio Bormolini (ITA) – 318 points
Daniele Bagozza (AUT) – 296 points
Arvid Auner (AUT) – 245 points
The riders will do it all again on Sunday with the same race schedule. Qualifying will occur in the morning with the races jumping off at 13:00 local / 12:00 CET.
QUICK LINKS
2023/24 FIS Alpine Snowboard World Cup calendar
2023/24 Women’s overall standings
