Davos debuts on Snowboard Alpine World Cup tour
Dec 22, 2023·Alpine Snowboard
The hills are alive in Davos, Switzerland as the FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup visits the famed resort for the first time ever. The new World Cup venue will bring different challenges for the riders as they descend the parallel slalom course.
The Swiss team may be a step ahead on the famous slopes, where Ladina Jenny (SUI), who has 15 individual career podiums to her name, has enjoyed plenty of practice.
“We have already had so many training sessions on this slope,” the 30-year-old said. “That’s why we know this slope very well. But a competition is always different.
“It’s always cool to have new competition venues in the World Cup because I arrive without any preconceptions. But at the end of the day it is the same for all riders.”
She is not alone in her confidence. Her compatriot Dario Caviezel (SUI) also believes the Swiss team’s experience could help them on Saturday.
“We have already trained many times on this slope. It will perhaps be a small advantage, although I think the slope is very easy for everyone,” Caviezel said.
With the Swiss team’s advantage of knowing the ins-and-outs of the course, Jenny is not too worried about the potential difficulties of the track.
“The slope is nothing difficult. Perfect for a nice slalom, only the crest just before the finish could be a key section,” she said.
Caviezel already has his eyes on the intricacies of the course. His keen outlook could be the advantage he needs to top the first podium in Davos.
“The key will certainly be the little knob. It starts medium steep, then becomes flatter for a short time before the knob. You can gain or lose a lot of time there,” Caviezel, 28, said.
Despite the knowledge, the Swiss riders will face plenty of competition. Ladina and the women’s field will have to slow the unstoppable force that is Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER).
The German leads the overall tour standings having swept the first two events of the season in Italy. The Olympic and world championship medallist will be looking for her 37th individual World Cup podium and 18th victory.
Tsubaki Miki (JPN) will be a key challenger. She has put down the fastest qualifying times in both events so far this season, and came away with third in Carezza and finished just off the podium in Cortina, placing fifth. Miki will be eager to turn her blazing qualifying runs into gold in Davos.
The Austrian team has also proved its depth early in the season. Daniela Ulbing (AUT) raced to second in Carezza and was challenging for the podium in Cortina before suffering a fall and ultimately finishing ninth. She and her teammate Sabine Schoeffmann (AUT) will be top contenders to watch in Switzerland.
There are plenty of Austrian challengers for the podium on the men’s side as well. Benjamin Karl (AUT) is the overall leader after two races. The five-time world champion and Olympic PGS gold medallist took bronze in Carezza and outdid himself with a first-place finish in Cortina. He remains a favourite to extend his podium streak.
His compatriot Andreas Prommegger (AUT) won the parallel slalom world title last season and finished second in Cortina last weekend behind Karl. Fabian Obmann (AUT) won the 2022/23 parallel slalom crystal globe and figures to be in the mix as well.
The men’s podiums have been dominated by Austrian and Italian riders so far this season. Riders from the two nations have taken all six of the men’s spots so far, and could sweep them again this weekend.
Maurizio Bormolini (ITA) leads the Italian squad. He won two of the five parallel slalom races last season and is heating up again this time round. He won the first event of this campaign, in Carezza, and will look to claim his fourth title.
RACE SCHEDULE
The action takes place on Saturday 23rd December, with finals starting at 14:00 CET (please note: the schedule is subject to change due to local weather conditions).
WHERE TO WATCH
QUICK LINKS
