Kotnik claims debut win in Cortina while Fischnaller secures 20th victory
Dec 17, 2022·Alpine Snowboard
The two winners of the second World Cup parallel giant slalom (PGS) of the season, which took place in Cortina, Italy on Saturday (17 December), were first-time top stepper Gloria Kotnik of Slovenia and 20-time first-placed rider, Roland Fischnaller. The Italian delighting the home crowd after beating fellow icon, Andreas Prommegger (AUT) in the big final.
Kotnik, an Olympic bronze medallist at Beijing 2022 but not one World Cup podium in 140 starts, beat a resurgent Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER) in the women’s edition. The German defending overall and PGS champion has had a slow start to the season due to a back injury so was thrilled to claim some good points to head into the near month-long festive break in good spirits, albeit with much of it likely spent with the physiotherapist.
Megan Farrell (CAN) disappointed the home fans by keeping Lucia Dalmasso (ITA) off the podium after an initial neck and neck battle went the way of the Canadian after Dalmasso faltered during the chase. With Farrell 19th in the opening PGS World Cup on Thursday, it was big smiles here with third place.
A trembling Kotnick, who had clenched her fists and screamed with delight on crossing the line in first, said afterwards: “I’m extremely happy. I was waiting for this for such a long time and I’m also happy to do it here, that’s my favourite World Cup race and it’s so nice to be on the podium and to win the race.”
An early upset in the women’s event saw top qualifier and hot favourite Tsubaki Miki (JPN) going out to Patrizia Kummer (SUI) in the round of 16 after falling twice in the early stages.
Julie Zogg (SUI) the second-place finisher in the first individual race of the season, the parallel slalom in Winterberg, Germany on 11 December, was also knocked out in the first race of the day, as was Ladina Jenny (SUI), third on Thursday. Aleksandra Krol (POL), second, didn’t progress past the quarter finals this time around but her points total is enough to put her second in the PGS rankings.
Michelle Dekker (NED), the winner of the first PGS of the season, which took place in Carezza on Thursday (15 December), did not even progress from qualifying after claiming her first-ever podium position. Kotnik will look to avoid the same fate when the tour heads to Bad Gastein, Austria on 10-11 January.
Standings after 3 of 13 races on the overall tour (women)
1 Gloria Kotnik (SLO) 182 points
2 Julie Zogg (SUI) 144 points
3 Aleksandra Krol (POL) 138 points
Standings after 2 of 7 races on the PGS tour (women)
1 Gloria Kotnik (SLO) 150 points
2 Aleksandra Krol (POL) 120 points
3 Michelle Dekker (NED) 114 points
In the men’s edition, Fischnaller was able to give the home crowd something to cheer as the alpine snowboard legend took on his long-time foe, Prommegger (AUT), in the big final. Fischnaller just pipped the Austrian on the line by just 0.13s as the veteran campaigners used their hard-earned race craft to best the other with the crowd collectively holding their breath while the pair duked it out.
The icons have been going toe to toe since 1996 when both joined the tour and have no intention of slowing down any time soon. Prommegger tops the PGS rankings having claimed the win two days ago in the first PGS of the season in Carezza, while Fischnaller was third, claiming the Italians’ only podium across the men’s and women’s events on home snow. Aaron March was able to join his compatriot this time around, beating Zan Kosir (SLO) to the third step.
Fischnaller told FIS afterwards he had been inspired by alpine skiing compatriot, Sofia Goggia, who also claimed a 20th World Cup victory the same day, despite breaking her hand on Friday and having to fly to Milan to have it operated on. The two-time Olympic medallist returned to the slopes 24 hours later to take the win in the downhill in St Moritz.
“I saw the run this morning from Sofia, she’s a big idol for everyone of us never to give up and she puts a lot of energy in her run and she was so inspiring this morning. So I tried to do the same and yes it’s my fifth victory here and my 20th in the World Cup and so I’m of course super happy – it’s not easy.”
Fischnaller now goes home for more training but also “a little vacation with my kids and family” before heading to Bad Gastein in the new year.
The frustrations for last season’s overall World Cup winner, Lee Sangho (KOR) continue as the 27-year old Olympic silver medallist did not make it past qualifying. Tim Mastnak (SLO), the second-place finisher in the first individual race of the season – the PSL in Winterberg, Germany – also failed to progress. The winner of that race, Alexander Payer (AUT), and third-placed Stefan Baumeister (GER) plus Dario Caviezel (SUI), who was second in the PGS two days ago, went out in the round of 16.
So there’s plenty to ponder for all riders as they head for their festive break before returning on 10-11 January for parallel slalom on day one and parallel slalom team on day two in Austria. The 2022/23 season is bubbling nicely for riders and fans alike
Standings after 3 of 13 races on the overall tour (men)
1 Andreas Prommegger (AUT) 198 points
2 Roland Fischnaller (ITA) 180 points
3 Alexander Payer (AUT) 152 points
Standings after 2 of 7 races on the PGS tour (men)
1 Andreas Prommegger (AUT) 180 points
2 Roland Fischnaller (ITA) 160 points
3 Dario Caviezel (SUI) 102 points
QUICK LINKS
Cortina d'Ampezzo World Cup FIS data page (start lists, results, etc.)
* Includes the cancellation of the Piancavallo, Italy event on 11-12 March, replaced with the delayed Livigno, Italy races
