Zamfirov gets dream win on home snow while Caffont extends lead

Jan 18, 2026·Snowboard Alpine

Tervel Zamfirov triumphs on home snow in Bansko. Photo: @FIS / Action Press / Vassil Donev

The sun came out on day two in Bansko as the Visa FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup returned to the slope for another PGS battle. This time the home crowd had plenty to cheer about.

A Bulgarian dream result

You could not write a better script. Tervel Zamfirov (BUL) sent the crowd into a frenzy in the big final as he held on to a slim lead to cross the line as the victor. It was the first career World Cup victory for the youngster, and it came after winning the PSL world championship last season. All the more meaningful as he did it on home snow.

“I feel incredible. The conditions, the crowd, everything was perfect. It was also the first time two Bulgarians made the podium, an incredible day. And an incredible day for Bulgaria. When I hear the crowd it really gives me wings. I feel super motivated, the crowd was amazing. To get a victory here is awesome,”– Zamfirov said.

This moment was a long time coming for Zamfirov.

"It is like a dream come true. I remember when I was a little kid and the first time the World Cup came here in 2017. I was in the crowd cheering on Rado Yankov. He won the first day and I was like, 'okay I want to be here, I want to ride with Rado, I want to make a Bulgarian podium,.' Today, it was almost just like that. To have two of us on the podium , a victory for Bulgaria, a victory against Yankov. It is a dream come true, it could not have gone any better,"– Zamfirov said.

The Bulgarian crowd was loud and proud in Bansko. Photo: @FIS / Action Press / Vassil Donev

It was not only his first World Cup victory but also his first World Cup podium. The win must be followed by a giant champagne-soaked celebration right?

“No, I don't have time. I have a big exam at university in physiology, I have to go study right away,”– Zamfirov said.

Seems like the win is not going to his head despite the joyful emotions. Zamfirov did throw his hands in the air after crossing the line just 0.15 seconds ahead of Fabian Obmann (AUT).

It was the seventh career World Cup podium for the Austrian.

"My first career podium was here three years ago. I am so happy to stand on this podium again. It is a great race and such a great atmosphere.There was a lot of pressure with the Olympics and our Austrian team is so tough to make, so now I am so happy. We have one more race but it looks good for me to make the team, so I am so relieved," – Obmann said.

The win was not the only chapter in the dream story for Zamfirov. The crowd roared as two Bulgarian men squared off in a heated semifinal. It was youth that prevailed as Zamfirov beat Radoslav Yankov (BUL) to the line.

Yankov bounced back with a win in the small final to give Bulgaria two men on the podium for the first time ever. It is the 13th career World Cup podium for Yankov. Five of those have come in Bulgaria, with four in Bansko. He took first in Bansko in 2017.

"It was amazing. We both managed to get on the podium today to make the big crowd happy,"– Yankov said.

Radoslav Yankov enjoyed loud cheers all day especially when racing against Zamfirov. Photo: @FIS / Action Press / Vassil Donev

The Bulgarian stars took out big names in round one. Yankov slid past Aaron March (ITA) while Zamfirov beat Andreas Prommegger (AUT).

March’s loss marked another disappointing day for the usually dominant Italian men. Only Maurizio Bormolini (ITA) advanced past the first round among the Italians on the day. March still holds the overall standings lead.

Bormolini was later ousted in the quarterfinals. It was only the second race this season with no Italian men on the podium, the other coming just one day ago in Bansko.

Yesterday’s winner Benjamin Karl (AUT) could not best the home crowd and Bulgarian legend Radoslav Yankov (BUL) in the quarterfinal round. Karl maintains his PGS standings lead.

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

Yannik Angenend (GER) exacted revenge on Gian Casanova (SUI) with a win in the quarterfinals after Casanova beat him in the small final on Saturday. The German had the fastest qualifying time but finished fourth.

Arnaud Gaudet (CAN) came second on Saturday but could not repeat his career-best performance as he was knocked out in round one on Sunday, losing to Casanova. Casanova also made the podium on Saturday.

Roland Fischnaller (ITA), Cody Winters (USA), and Tim Mastnak (SLO) all missed out on the knockout rounds after qualification struggles.

Caffont pulls through on day two

Elisa Caffont (ITA) continued her career-best season with a win. It took a late charge in the big final as the Italian crossed the line by 0.14 seconds against Tsubaki Miki (JPN) in the big final.

“I am really happy. The conditions were beautiful and Miki was so strong. I was on the red course so I just had to do my best. I was just telling myself to push, I knew that I could do it, I just had to believe it,”– Caffont said.

Tsubaki Miki, Elisa Caffont, Ramona Theresia Hofmeister on the podium on Sunday. Photo: @FIS / Action Press / Vassil Donev

The win is Caffont’s second of the season and fourth podium this campaign. It is her 11th career World Cup podium. Caffont extended her overall standings lead with the win in the big final.

"I got off to a very good start (in the final), already from the fourth or fifth gate there was a small gap, and I started knowing it was there, kept the right line. My teammates on the radio gave me good advice about the gates on the wall, and I just focused on skiing the best line possible for the conditions.”Now my friends are waiting at home now and we are ready for a party to celebrate,"– Caffont said.

Miki settled for second as she extended her lead in the PGS standings. The Japanese star has five podiums this season and 28 in her career.

It was a headline bout in the semifinals as Miki raced past Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER) after the German stumbled through an early gate. The German rebounded with a win in the small final to round out the podium. She now has 61 World Cup podiums to her name.

"I am really happy and proud of the team with the results. Today we got a podium and yesterday a victory. Bansko is always a pleasure. It would be a perfect place for the world championships. It was a fight until the end, the conditions were not easy but I like it here in Bansko. My ankle is really good and I am really thankful"– Hofmeister said.

It was an all-Italian affair in the second semifinal as Caffont glided to an easy win after Lucia Dalmasso’s early mistake.

Aleksandra Krol-Walas (POL) made the big final on Saturday but was edged out by Caffont in the quarterfinals this time around.

Malena Zamfirova (BUL) attempted to win one for the home crowd but ran into the mighty Hofmeister in the quarterfinals and could not overcome the German.

Wei Lanxi (CAN) posted a career best finish in 12th. Photo: @FIS / Action Press / Vassil Donev

Zuzana Maderova (CZE) was eliminated in round one after a strong qualifying run.

Lanxi Wei (CAN) had a career best 12th-place finish.

The Snowboard Alpine World Cup rolls on as the circuit returns to Austria for an event in Simonhohe. The athletes will compete in a PGS race on January 23. They will then team up for a mixed team event on January 24, which will be the second team race of the season.