Team Austria slays the competition on home snow

Jan 17, 2024·Alpine Snowboard

It is a trending rivalry that is dominating the sport this season. Team Italy vs Team Austria continues to battle on the FIS Alpine Snowboard World Cup tour. The two nations faced off once again as they met in the big final of the first team event of the season. Chalk this one up for the Austrians.

Andreas Prommegger (AUT) and Sabine Schoeffmann (AUT) combined to lead the top Austrian team to victory on home snow in the mixed team parallel event. Schoeffmann used a stunning run to beat out Lucia Dalmasso (ITA) for the win.

Prommegger rebounded after a disappointing individual race on Tuesday. He did not qualify for the knockout rounds but bounced back to help Austria top the podium at Bad Gastein. Prommegger knew he had to put this season’s slalom issues behind him.

“It was pretty hard, I didn’t feel that comfortable in slalom riding this season. It is one of the hardest slopes on the tour. I had really strong opponents and I think I did a good job, but Sabine did a better job, and I am very happy,” Prommegger said.

Sabine Schoeffman (AUT) celebrates her team's victory in Bad Gastein. © Miha Matavz/FIS

Schoeffmann built upon her second-place finish on Tuesday and was the MVP for Austria. The home crowd helped a bit too.

“I think the self confidence from yesterday and the confidence Andy (Prommegger) gives me is necessary, especially on the first three gates. It is very rough, you have to fight, and it is a bit of dirty riding, let’s say then it is nice carving. It is a team event, and we are really happy with this first place at home,” Schoeffmann said.

It is the second time Schoeffmann won the team event in Bad Gastein. She won in 2018 alongside Alexander Payer (AUT).

Dalmasso and Daniele Bagozza (ITA) took the third Italian team to second place. Dalmasso continued her incredible season with her fourth World Cup podium this season. She used multiple late leans to win in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds for Italy.

“I am happy with Daniele, it was fun and the slope was nicer than last year,” Dalmasso said.

Her partner Bagozza wins his second parallel event this season after topping the podium in Davos. He had no issues with the conditions today.

“The race today was beautiful. The snow conditions were picobello as we say in Italian. I am happy with my riding and with the riding of Lucia. We will go on with this place,” Bagozza said.

Rounding out the podium was a familiar name. Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER) overcame a rough day to help the top German team to third place. Hofmeister lands on her fifth podium in six races this season.

Austria edges out Italy and Germany in the first team event of the season. © Miha Matavz/FIS

The women’s overall leader got switched around after catching an edge in the semifinals. She almost came back for a miraculous win but came up just short. Her and her partner Stefan Baumeister recollected themselves and took down the top Italian team in the small final for third.

“It was a tough race today but we had a lot of fun. We are a great team. We love Bad Gastein. The slope was okay, it was tough, yesterday it was better. But we are on the podium and excited for the next team event,” Hofmeister said.

Her partner was satisfied with the bronze medal spot.

“It was a great race, I love riding with Ramona. I am happy with my performance,” Baumeister said.

The Alpine Snowboard World Cup tour has three more mixed team events this season. The next will be at the end of the month back in Austria at Simonhohe for a mixed team PGS race. Then the final two events in Germany in March will also feature mixed team parallel events.

Mixed Team Standings: