Riegler makes history and Baumeister earns third win in Bad Gastein parallel slalom
Jan 08, 2019·Alpine Snowboard
Bad Gastein (AUT) - It was a remarkable scene at the 19th edition of the FIS Snowboard parallel slalom World Cup Bad Gastein (AUT) on Tuesday evening, as 45-year-old Claudia Riegler finally triumphed at her home soil event, taking Tuesday’s victory in a history-making performance. Meanwhile, 23-year-old Stefan Baumeister of Germany prevailed against a series of tough competitors to earn his third career victory in the men’s category to close an exciting evening of competition in thrilling fashion.
Riegler’s victory was a monumental one, as she became the oldest competitor to win a FIS Snowboard World Cup competition, taking the honour by nearly three years over Canadian legend Jasey Jay Anderson. Riegler’s win on Tuesday came nearly 18 years after she first competed in Bad Gastein, when she took 20th place at the very first competition here back in 2001.
And she earned the win in dominant fashion against riders nearly half her age, first by topping the field in qualifications, then by dispatching the likes of 25-year-olds Nadya Ochner (ITA) and Ladina Jenny (AUT), and finally by out-running 28-year-old Aleksandra Krol (POL) in the big final.
“It’s the first time in my career I’ve worn the yellow bib in individual competition,” Riegler said, after taking the first PSL win of the season, “In the team event I had it last year for the first time, and now in individual. I guess I had to become 45 years old, first (laughing). For me, everything is taking a while.
“The season started tough for me, with crashes in qualification at Carezza and Cortina. Usually I love giant slalom more, but I’ve had a really good feeling in slalom training this season, with a new board that’s really helping me to make better turns. And there were so many people here and cheering for me, and I felt really confident. To take this win at home is just a pleasure.”
With her runner-up result, Krol earned her the second podium of her career nearly six years after her first trip to the awards ceremony.
“I’m so happy,” she smiled just before the awards ceremony, “Obviously the win would have been nice, but it’s been a long time since I stood on the podium, so today is amazing.”
Third on the day went to Schoeffmann, giving the host Austrians two of the three podiums they would finish the evening with in a highly successful home showing.
Baumeister tops in tough men's competition
In the men’s competition, Baumeister, like Riegler, would rule the day from start to finish, taking top spot in qualifications before going on to best every challenger, riding smoothly through each heat on the tricky Bad Gastein course to take his third career victory.
“It was difficult today, the first five gates were very bumpy, but after that the slope was very good,” said Baumeister, “But I felt good today, I had good confidence, and I’m very happy to win here in Bad Gastein.”
Baumeister’s win would deny his big final opponent Dario Caviezel (SUI) of what would have been his first victory, but it was still am impressive showing from the 23-year-old who flies somewhat under the radar on the strong Swiss team. Though he would fall short of earning his first career victory, the second-place result would be the second of his career to double his total.
Third on the day went to the most consistent rider of the 2018/19 season thus far, as Benjamin Karl (AUT) gave the host Austrians their third podium of the evening while also earning his third straight podium of the season, increading his lead on the alpine overall World Cup standings over Nevin Galmarini (SUI) and Roland Fischnaller (ITA).
After a little rest on Tuesday evening, most of the athletes of the FIS Snowboard alpine World Cup will be right back at it on Wednesday, as the first PSL team competition of the season is set to close out this season's festivities in Bad Gastein, with competition beginning at 13:00 CET.
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Photos (for editorial use credit FIS Snowboard)
