Legends Karl and Hofmeister back on top in Bansko

Jan 17, 2026·Snowboard Alpine

Benjamin Karl roars after claiming the victory. Photo: @FIS/Action Press/Vassil Donev

It was a foggy day in snowy Bansko as the Visa FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup stopped in Bulgaria for the first of two PGS races on Saturday. It was a day of heavy hitters on the women’s side and stunning results on the men’s side.

The Bulgarian crowd showed out in droves to catch all the action. They came for their Bulgarian snowboarders but in the end, it was two legends of the sport on top of the podium.

Benjamin Karl (AUT) may be retiring at the end of the season but he is not done yet as he topped the podium. Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER) joined Karl in the winner’s circle as the German showed off her trademark speed once again.

Italian men knocked off their perch

Karl glided through the tough conditions with plenty left in the tank for the win. Although the veteran may have to skip out on the celebrations.

‘I am 40, I cannot celebrate today because if I did, I would have to cancel tomorrow’s race (laughs),” – Karl said.

The win was Karl’s 24th career individual World Cup win and first in Bulgaria. It was his 62nd World Cup podium overall. Karl’s experience was the key on a tough course.

“I was 15th in qualification by two hundredths or something, I was nearly out then. It was a super small gap though between first and 16th. I found something in the set up before the first round and felt I was faster than in qualification. I could ride faster and safer, and everything. It didn’t matter which course, red or blue. I love these conditions, it was icy and bumpy, and that is what I like,”– Karl said.

Arnaud Gaudet, Benjamin Karl, and Gian Casanova stand atop the podium of day one in Bansko. Photo: @FIS/Action Press / Vassil Donev

Despite his crowded trophy case, Karl was effusive after the win. He was in disbelief when handed the yellow bib for taking the PGS standings lead.

“I always have to wait too long for wins. I think my last one was almost two years ago. Today I wanted to win, I wanted to win once before the Olympics. I am super happy that this happened. I am in complete surprise (with the bib). I asked twice if it was right because I did not believe it, but it is a nice present,”– Karl said.

Karl last topped the podium in January 2024 in Rogla, Slovenia. The Austrian moved to the top of the PGS standings after the win.

There was much less experience surrounding Karl on the podium. Arnaud Gaudet (CAN) took second place for a career-best finish. His previous best individual World Cup effort was sixth place.

“I am really happy. It was a good day for me. I qualified first and all my final runs were going so well and then the big final was my worst run of the day. I made plenty of mistakes and tried to catch up at the end but it was not enough. I am still happy with second place,”– Gaudet said.

Gian Casanova (SUI) took the small final to close out the podium. It was Casanova’s first individual World Cup podium after two previous team podiums.

“It just felt so good. From the first run, I had a great feeling on my board. I could really do my thing and that was my secret today. It shows I am on the right track, I have done so much effort and improvement in my game, and today it all clicked, ”– Casanova said.

The new PGS yellow bib leaders Tsubaki Miki and Benjamin Karl. Photo: @FIS/Action Press/ Vassil Donev

It was a bad day for the usually dominant Italian men. Aaron March (ITA) and Maurizio Bormolini (ITA) came in as tour leaders but were both knocked out by Austrians in the first knockout round. Their countrymen Roland Fischnaller (ITA), Mirko Felicetti (ITA) and Daniele Bagozza (ITA) all missed qualification for the knockout rounds.

Karl was the first non-Italian man to win a race this season as the old Austrian guard struck back.

The Bulgarian men also came up a bit short on the day as upstarts Tervel Zamfirov (BUL) and Alexander Krashniak (BUL) were eliminated before the semifinals. Bulgarian legend Radoslav Yankov (BUL) was eliminated in round one.

Hofmeister making a charge to the top

The big names delivered on the women’s side, setting up some big matchups throughout the day. It was a familiar face that broke through as Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER) topped the podium. In just her second PGS race of the season, after missing the first month due to injury, Hofmeister was victorious once again.

“It was a tough day. It was very difficult today from the beginning but I am back on top again after the last PGS race. I have great memories here in Bansko, there was great energy from the crowd and it is amazing here. I am really happy. I am really excited for another race tomorrow,"– Hofmeister said.

Ramona Theresia Hofmeister celebrates her second straight PGS win. Photo: @FIS/Action Press/ Vassil Donev

The German looks to be in form despite the extended time off. The win gives her 31 World Cup victories including 27 individual wins. She loves the Bansko slope after sweeping both PGS races at the Bulgarian venue last season.

Aleksandra Krol-Walas (POL) had a solid day and put up a good fight in the big final. The Polish rider made her second straight individual podium and third of the season. It is her 13th career top-three finish.

“I was extremely happy to get another podium this season. It would be better to be first of course but, there is always tomorrow. I am very happy, I always try to have as much fun as possible during races, that is why I am smiling so much. I was missing a bit of energy though so I will eat a bunch of sweets to have more power tomorrow,” – Krol-Walas said.

Ramona Theresia Hofmeister races ahead of Aleksandra Krol-Walas in the big final. Photo: @FIS/Action Press/ Vassil Donev

Another big name rounded out the podium as Tsubaki Miki (JPN) returned to the top triumvirate. It is the fourth podium of the season for the Japanese star and 27th of her career. She takes over the top spot in the PGS standings going into Sunday.

“I am so happy to be back on the podium and get the yellow bib. I want to do even more tomorrow. In the semi final, I went a bit too straight on a bumpy part of the course with the tough snow conditions. Tomorrow I will be better,”– Miki said.

It was a great day for the local favorite Malena Zamfirova (BUL). The 16-year-old put down fast runs before a stumble in the semifinals and a fall in the small final, finishing in fourth.

Elisa Caffont (ITA) stays atop the overall standings after reaching the quarterfinals. Her teammate Lucia Dalamasso (ITA) also fell in the quarterfinals.

Elsewhere, Jasmin Coratti (ITA) and Zuzana Maderova (CZE) suffered DNF’s in qualifying. PGS leader Sabine Payer (AUT) skipped the race due to an ankle injury.

The athletes will take the same slope in Bansko on Sunday for another PGS race. It will be the final race for Olympic qualification points. Qualifications will begin at 8:45 LOC / 7:45 CET and finals at 12:45 LOC / 11:45 CET.