Miki and Lee strike at the perfect time with Rogla wins ahead of Milano Cortina 2026

Jan 31, 2026·Snowboard Alpine

Sangho Lee (KOR) claims Parallel Giant Slalom victory at the Visa FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup in Rogla ©FIS/Miha Matavz

Tsubaki Miki (JPN) and Sangho Lee (KOR) claimed Parallel Giant Slalom victories at the Visa FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup in Rogla, Slovenia, delivering composed, high-level performances at the ninth and final World Cup stop before the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games which will take place from 6 to 22 February.

Rogla, hosting its 14th World Cup event since debuting on the calendar in 2013, once again proved a decisive test, with both winners underlining their form and confidence just one week out from Olympic competition.

Lee prevails by his fingertips

The men’s Big Final produced one of the closest finishes of the season, as Sangho Lee edged out Roland Fischnaller (ITA) by the narrowest of margins with just his fingertips. After a suspenseful wait for the photo finish, Lee was confirmed the winner, his first podium and first victory of the season, and his first win since 2022.

Lee admitted the intensity of the competition weighed heavily throughout the day.

This season felt like the strongest field ever. So I knew I had to push more than 100 percent. I was nervous, but I’m proud that I managed it.– Sangho Lee (KOR)

Snowboarder in action, navigating around a red gate during a race on a snowy course, wearing blue and black gear with a reflective visor.

Sangho Lee (KOR) in action in Rogla ©FIS/Miha Matavz

With the Olympics fast approaching, the timing of the victory added further significance.

I really needed a victory before the Olympics, because the start of the season for me was kind of the worst season ever. I was testing a lot of equipment for the Olympics, and my only focus this season was the Games. And just before the Olympics, I finally did it!– Sangho Lee (KOR)

Fischnaller finished second, stepping onto the podium for the fourth time this season, and reflected on small mistakes in an otherwise strong day.

My performance in qualification and up to the Big Final was according to my plan. But in the final I made two mistakes. I was too straight through two gates, and I really didn’t want that. Still, I’m really happy to be back on the podium and to carry this momentum into next week.– Roland Fischnaller (ITA)

Fabian Obmann (AUT) completed the podium after winning the Small Final against Tim Mastnak (SLO), continuing a remarkable run of form with three consecutive podium finishes.

I needed to get back into that flow state. Now things are starting to go my way, it’s amazing to be on the podium three times in a row.– Fabian Obmann (AUT)

A snowboarder in a bright green helmet races swiftly down a snowy slope, wearing a black jersey with white text, against a backdrop of trees.

Tim Mastnak (SLO) in action on his birthday on home snow ©FIS/Miha Matavz

Mastnak narrowly missed the podium but earned strong support from the home crowd on his birthday, finishing fourth after an impressive performance that gave Slovenian fans plenty to celebrate.

With this result, Fischnaller and Benjamin Karl (AUT) have the same number of points with 443. However Fischnaller has the yellow bib and leads the men’s PGS standings thanks to a higher number of victories.

Miki completes Rogla hat-trick

In the women’s competition, Tsubaki Miki delivered another masterclass, claiming her third consecutive victory in Rogla and her sixth podium of the season, reinforcing her status as the athlete to beat heading into Milano Cortina.

Miki faced Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER) in the Big Final, marking their second head-to-head of the season. Both riders started strongly, but Hofmeister slipped marginally behind, allowing Miki to take control of the run and acknowledged the importance of the timing.

I really wanted to fight with Ramona in the final. I was very happy she was strong and able to race. The snow conditions stayed the same all day, which made the racing really fun. I couldn’t get a victory for a long time after China (December 2025), and I was thinking about many things. Now I’m just really happy, and I want to take this positive feeling into the Olympics.– Tsubaki Miki (JPN)

Tsubaki Miki (JPN) celebrates her third consecutive victory in Rogla. ©FIS/Miha Matavz

Hofmeister’s second-place finish marked her fourth podium of the season, after an enjoyable day of racing.

It was a great fight, especially in the Big Final against Tsubaki. She’s so fast, and I had a really fun today. Tomorrow is a rest day, and then I go to Italy on Monday. I’m really excited for the Olympics in Italy. I’m looking forward to a good race, with no pressure. I’ll just do my best.– Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER)

Three snowboarders stand on a podium holding trophies and flowers, celebrating their victory at the FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup in Rogla.

Women's Podium, from L to R Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER), Tsubaki Miki (JPN), Elisa Caffont (ITA) ©FIS/Miha Matavz

Elisa Caffont (ITA) secured third place by winning the Small Final against Sabine Payer (AUT), earning her fifth podium of the season.

I’m really happy with this result, the conditions were perfect, and there was really good riding from everyone.– Elisa Caffont (ITA)

Payer did not finish after crashing in the Small Final.

With the result in Rogla, Miki extends her lead in the women’s PGS and overall standings and has the yellow (PGS leader) and orange (overall leader) bibs.

Snowboarder in a black outfit and helmet, leaning sharply while carving on a snowy slope, with red flags and trees blurred in the background.

Tomoka TAKEUCHI (JPN) competes for last time in the Visa FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup ©FIS/Miha Matavz

A World Cup farewell for Snowboard Alpine icon Tomoka Takeuchi

Rogla also marked a special moment for Tomoka Takeuchi (JPN), who competed in her final VIsa FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup race and announced she will retire after the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The 42-year-old has recorded 15 World Cup podiums, including a PGS victory in 2012, competed in six Olympic Winter Games, and will make her seventh and final Olympic appearance in Italy, adding to a career highlighted by an Olympic silver medal in the Parallel Giant Slalom at Sochi 2014.

Focus shifts to Milano Cortina

With Rogla marking the final Visa FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup stop before the Olympic Games, attention now turns to Livigno, Italy, where the Parallel Giant Slalom competition will take place on 8 February 2026 as part of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. With form peaking and margins razor-thin, athletes will arrive ready to deliver their very best in the pursuit of Olympic medals.