Bormolini and Miki continue their hot streaks

Mar 07, 2026·Snowboard Alpine

Tsuabki Miki and Maurizio Bormolini win in Czechia and hold the yellow bibs. Photo: @FIS/Miha Matavz

A sunny day in Spindleruv Mlyn set the stage for an action-packed day of snowboard racing. The Visa FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup rolled through the Czech ski resort for its first-ever stop at the venue. It was a return to the more technical parallel slalom discipline, which had not been raced since January in Bad Gastein.

There were some shocking results all around, but the hottest snowboarders could not be stopped as the overall leaders Maurizio Bormolini (ITA) and Tsubaki Miki (JPN) took the top spots once again.

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Bormolini goes back-to-back-to-back

The Italian men were back to being the fastest, and it was the usual leader Bormolini coming out on top. Bormolini took the top spot, holding his nerve in the big final.

“Maybe I was lucky today. After the semifinal, I felt confident. I pushed a lot in the flat part and am so happy. This weekend and last weekend were amazing,”– Bormolini said.

The win extends Bormolini’s lead in all three crystal globe standings. He has one idea for the celebration.

“I just want to go home with my baby, I miss them a lot and need to be with my family,”– Bormolini said.

It is his tour-leading fifth victory of the season and 12th of his career. The Italian men have won 10 of 14 men’s races this season.

In second place was the shocker of the day as Ryusuke Shinohara (JPN) put together his best career performance, taking second. It was his first-ever World Cup podium. His previous career best finish was seventh. He is the first Japanese male athlete to podium in snowboard Alpine. Shinohara was ecstatic with the result. He is already aiming for another podium.

“I am skipping Canada, but I am going to Winterberg. I hope for another big final and this time kicking off Maurizio (laughs),”– Shinohara said.

Team Japan celebrate the first ever men's snowboard Alpine podium. Photo: @FIS/Miha Matavz

In the small final, it was more glory for the Italians as Mirko Felicetti (ITA) took third place. It was a nice bounce-back for Felicetti as he had not podiumed since January 10 in Scuol.

“It is nice to be back on the podium in slalom, my last podium (in slalom) was ten years ago. This is for Bormolini, he helped me a lot the last couple of days. I am grateful to have him on my team,”– Felicetti said.

Mirko Felicetti in action. Photo: @FIS/Miha Matavz

The Italian men have taken 21 of 42 podium spots this campaign.

Dario Caviezel (SUI) settled for fourth.

Aaron March (ITA) was shockingly knocked out in the quarterfinals after qualifying in second.

Arvid Auner usually excels at the PSL discipline, but missed out on qualifying for the knockout rounds by one spot.

Other big names also missed out, Stefan Baumeister (GER) and Alexander Payer (AUT) missed the cut. Cody Winters (USA) and Alexander Krashniak (BUL) both podiumed in the previous PSL race in Bad Gastein, but did not qualify for the finals in Spindleruv Mlyn.

Daniele Bagozza (ITA) was the fastest in qualifying and crossed first in his round od 16 matchup, but was disqualified due to missing a gate.

Olympic champion Benjamin Karl (AUT) did not start.

Ryusuke Shinohara, Maurizio Bormolini, and Mirko Felicetti on the podium. Photo: @FIS/Miha Matavz

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Miki silences the Czech crowd

Tsubaki Miki proved once again, she is the most consistent snowboarder on the circuit with her tour-leading fourth victory of the season. Miki covered up any small mistakes and rode the wave through to the top of the podium.

Miki faced a tough test in the big final against Olympic champion Zuzana Maderova (CZE). Miki had to fight against the huge home Czech crowd roaring on Maderova as well.

“I am so glad to fight with Zuzana in her home country. I did not have the confidence today, I was so nervous, I am so happy to get the win,”– Miki said.

The win gives Miki the PSL yellow bib and extends her lead in the overall crystal globe standings. She now has 11 career World Cup victories.

“I want to keep the yellow and orange bib, I want to get all three crystal globes again,”– Miki said.

Maderova settled for second as her home country debuted on the snowboard Alpine circuit. The Czech rider looked strong all day but suffered a mistake in the big final, missing a gate. It was still a great day for the Czech rider.

“It was amazing, and the snow conditions were perfect, it was a perfect day,”– Maderova said.

Zuzana Maderova glides down the slope in her home country. Photo: @FIS/Miha Matavz

It is her fifth World Cup podium of her dream season as she chases her first World Cup win. Maderova is still riding high after claiming gold at Milano Cortina 2026.

In the small final, it was Michelle Dekker (NED) taking her third podium of the season, and her second in PSL racing. Dekker edged out previous PSL leader Elisa Caffont (ITA).

“The course was really fun, I liked how turn-y it was. The snow got tough in the finals, so it was super hard, but I managed to stay in and have a super clean run,”– Dekker said.

In the semifinals, Miki cruised past Dekker, and Maderova dominated the other, beating Caffont.

Elsewhere, Sabine Payer (AUT) was knocked out by Miki in a nail-biting finish in the quarterfinal round.

Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER) had an uncharacteristically tough day, missing out on the knockout rounds by placing 21st in qualifying.

A crowd of more than 1600 gathered in Spindleruv Mlyn. Photo: @FIS/Miha Matavz

Many athletes wore special eyeblack on their faces in the same style as Malena Zamfirova (BUL). It was a tribute to the young Bulgarian who will miss the rest of the season after a collision during training earlier this week, which left her hospitalized.

The Visa FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup continues next weekend on March 14-15 with the final two PGS races of the season in Val St. Come, Canada. The PGS crystal globes will be awarded as well.

Also, do please head to Reuters Connect and Actionpress.de to view and purchase a wide selection of photographs from this race and from all FIS events.

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