World Cup kick-off in Landgraaf: Rivalries renewed, globes in sight
Nov 28, 2025·Para Snowboard)
“The fridge” in Landgraaf, Netherlands, set the stage for an electrifying start to the 2025/26 FIS Para Snowboard World Cup and Europa Cup. Around 130 athletes from 20 nations battled it out in two Banked Slalom races, contested in the head-to-head format introduced last season. After two qualification runs, the fastest four riders advanced to semi-finals and finals, delivering high drama from start to finish.
Day 1: Kotzian, Delson, Jiang, Elliott, and Perathoner make statements
The Women’s Upper Limb (UL) category opened the season with Monika Kotzian (POL) edging out Irati Idiakez Lopez (ESP) in the Big Final. Kotzian, who set the fastest qualification time, celebrated a crucial win for a category still fighting for Paralympic inclusion.
In Women’s Lower Limb (LL), Kate Delson (USA) claimed her first World Cup Banked Slalom victory after a tense battle with home favorite Lisa Bunschoten (NED). China’s Nianjia Hu, dominant in qualifications, secured third place in the small final. Last season’s globe winner Cécile Hernandez (FRA) suffered a crash and a broken finger, ending her day early.
China’s rising stars continued their surge in Men’s UL, with Zihao Jiang defeating teammate Pengyao Wang in an all-Chinese Big Final. Jacopo Luchini (ITA), last season’s overall globe winner, salvaged third place after beating Lijia Ji (CHN) in the small final.
Noah Elliott (USA), reigning Banked Slalom and Overall globe holder, picked up right where he left off, dominating Men’s LL1 from start to finish. He beat Junta Kosuda (JPN) in the Big Final, while Yiyang Liu (CHN) denied Chris Vos (NED) a home podium in the small final.
Men’s LL2 saw Emanuel Perathoner (ITA) showcase his trademark consistency, clocking near-identical times across four runs. He topped the podium ahead of Sun Qi (CHN) and Zach Miller (USA), with Ben Tudhope (AUS) narrowly missing out.
Day 2: Revenge, Wild Cards, and tight margins
The second day brought fresh faces and fierce rivalries. In Women’s UL, Idiakez Lopez turned the tables on Kotzian, advancing to the Big Final thanks to her qualification lead after both semi-finalists failed to finish. Kotzian’s DNF left the Spanish rider celebrating her first win of the season.
Women’s LL saw Lisa Bunschoten strike back, defeating Delson in the semi-final before claiming victory over Hu in the Big Final. Delson secured third place, keeping her globe ambitions alive.
China threatened a clean sweep in Men’s UL, with Jiang, Wang, and Ji dominating qualifications. Aron Fahrni (SUI) broke the streak by winning the small final, while Wang avenged his Day 1 loss to Jiang in the Big Final.
Elliott continued his winning streak in Men’s LL1, while Liu climbed to second and Kosuda edged teammate Daichi Oguri (JPN) by just five hundredths in a nail-biting small final.
Men’s LL2 repeated the Day 1 podium—Perathoner, Sun, and Miller—but not without drama. Sun edged Tudhope by a single hundredth in the closest semi-final of the weekend, setting the tone for a thrilling season ahead.
Next stop: Kühtai, Austria – 16–17 January
After a month break, the World Cup caravan will head to the high-altitude slopes of Kühtai, Austria, on 16–17 January. Known for its challenging terrain and spectacular alpine backdrop, Kühtai promises another thrilling chapter in the Banked Slalom story. With Milano-Cortina 2026 looming large, expect riders to push even harder as the race for the globes intensifies.
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