Hofmeister claims PGS crystal globe

Day two of the first ever FIS Alpine Snowboard World Cup event in Krynica saw tough conditions as many of the best riders struggled with a tough course. Another showdown between Tsubaki Miki (JPN) and Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER) highlighted the women’s race. Arvid Auner (AUT) claimed his first ever PGS win on the men’s side.

Hofmeister claims PGS crystal globe

Hofmeister (GER) leaves the final PGS race with the crystal globe. It is her eighth globe of her World Cup career as she defends her PGS title from last season.

"It is PGS globe number five. It is unbelievable. I need some time to realize this and find the right words. I am so happy. It is crazy, really really crazy and now I am ready to go home," Hofmeister said.

It was a nervy ride to clinch the globe. Hofmeister cruised through the early knockout rounds as her opponents struggled with mistakes. Things got tougher from there but, Hofmeister wrapped up the globe by advancing to the semifinal.

In the semis, Hofmeister faced a familiar foe in the youngster Tsubaki Miki (JPN). The Japanese rider was right behind Hofmeister in the PGS standings coming into the day.

Tsubaki stumbled out of the gates but roared back to a dramatic comeback win to send Hofmeister to the small final. It was the fourth time this season Tsubaki beat Hofmeister head-to-head. Hofmeister then settled for fourth after a shaky run in the small final.

Tsubaki rode the same game plan to beat Daniela Ulbing (AUT) in the big final as she came from behind after Ulbing made a mistake with the lead.  The win is Tsubaki’s second of the season and sixth podium of the year. It was a day of redemption for the Japanese boarder who failed to qualify for the knockout rounds on Saturday.

“Yesterday I failed in qualification so yesterday night I decided that today I would win. So, I am so happy now. This is the last race in parallel giant slalom, so I am so happy to end like this,” Tsubaki said.

Tsubaki finishes six points behind Hofmeister in the PGS season standings. Lucia Dalmasso (ITA) ended up in third in the ladder after a first-round loss on Sunday.

For Sunday’s race, Ulbing ended in second after a strong day. It is her second podium of the season after a silver finish in the first race of the year in Carezza. She now has 13 career World Cup podiums to her name.

Ladina Jenny (SUI) put together a great day to win the small final and finish the podium. It is the first podium of the season for the PGS silver medalist from last year’s world championships.

Sabine Schoeffmann (AUT) gave it another go as she raced with a broken hand that was operated on earlier this week. The Austrian ran into the red-hot Tsubaki in the first round, who ended her day there.

The women’s PGS race is settled. The racers now have two more parallel slalom races In Germany to decide the overall crown. Hofmeister has a commanding lead for the overall title. Tsubaki is second and could pull off the upset if she wins out.

Women’s Overall Alpine Snowboard Standings

1. Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER) – 754 points

2. Tsubaki Miki (JPN) – 594 points

3. Sabine Schoeffmann (AUT) – 558 points

4. Lucia Dalmasso (ITA) – 520 points

5. Julie Zogg (SUI) – 433 points

Women’s Final PGS standings

1. Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER) – 429 points

2. Tsubaki Miki (JPN) – 423 points

3. Lucia Dalmasso (ITA) – 330 points

4. Daniela Ulbing (AUT) – 322 points

5. Sabine Schoeffmann (AUT) – 306 points

Another Austrian summits the podium

Benjamin Karl (AUT) already locked up the PGS title weeks ago. That gave way for his teammate Arvid Auner (AUT) to claim the spotlight.

Auner survived the rough conditions to ride his way to his first career PGS victory. It is his eighth career World Cup podium and first podium in PGS.

“At home I said I want to make a podium this season in GS and now it happened,” Auner said.

Auner overcame a tough start in the big final to pull out the win.

“It was unbelievable to ride here. It was bumpy, it was difficult. I made it through the bumpy part and then I knew if I put pressure on the other competitor then I have a chance and can’t let go of my board,”

“I knew every time that it is quite near a zero-zero finish so I was really carving hard at the end to have as much speed to get to the finish. I am so happy to get on my PGS podium and all the way up on top. I do not have the words, but it goes deep in my heart,” Auner said.

Auner gives Team Austria five wins in seven PGS races this season. The strong competition between the teammates in training pushes them all to better performances.

“I am so glad to be on the Austrian team. We are one of the best teams. If you are fast on this team, then you can win,” Auner said.

Auner took advantage of Maurizio Bormolini’s (ITA) mistake in the big final as the Italian lost an edge on a turn and suffered a DNF. Bormolini settled for second. It is his third podium of the season and ninth of his World Cup career.

Alexander Payer (AUT) lost the semifinal to Auner by 0.01 seconds. He bounced back to win the small final and round out the podium.

Auner took advantage of a thinner field as some of the top racers missed out on the knockout rounds. Karl’s qualifying time was not enough as he missed the knockout rounds by two spots.

His teammate Andreas Prommegger (AUT) missed the knockouts by one spot after winning Saturday’s race. Daniele Bagozza (ITA) also missed out on the knockout stage after being disqualified in qualifying.

PGS winner Karl holds a commanding lead for the overall title with two parallel slalom races left in the season. The top seven is entirely composed of boarders from Italy or Austria. Karl will try to hold off the challengers for the overall title.

"I am happy to have the small globe clinched but now full focus on the two races left for the big globe," Karl said.

Men’s Overall Alpine Snowboard Standings

1. Benjamin Karl (AUT) – 612 points

2. Daniele Bagozza (ITA) – 496 points

3. Maurizio Bormolini (ITA) – 488 points

4. Andreas Prommegger (AUT) – 480 points

5. Edwin Coratti (ITA) – 442 points

Men’s Final PGS standings

1. Benjamin Karl (AUT) – 489 points

2. Andreas Prommegger (AUT) – 329 points

3. Roland Fischnaller (ITA) – 308 points

4. Maurizio Bormolini (ITA) – 304 points

5. Edwin Coratti (ITA) – 257 points

UP NEXT

The FIS Alpine Snowboard World Cup tour will head to Winterberg, Germany on March 9 for a men’s and women’s individual parallel slalom race. The next day the site will host a mixed team event.

QUICK LINKS

2023/24 FIS Alpine Snowboard World Cup calendar
2023/24 Women’s overall standings
2023/24 Men’s overall standings
FIS Alpine Snowboard photos
FIS Snowboard YouTube