With Julia Dujmovits
and Mathieu Bozzetto one underdog and one top-favourite have won the second
Parallel Slalom of the NOKIA Snowboard FIS World Cup 2007/2008. In the ladies’
final in Nendaz, Austria’s Dujmovits beat her
country woman Heidi Neururer who was able to enlarge her World Cup lead due to
her second rank.
Nicolien Sauerbreij (NED) came in third ahead of Claudia
Riegler (AUT) who had won the qualification. On the men’s side, Mathieu
Bozzetto held the upper hand in the duel of the two fastest men of the
qualification as his opponent in the final Rok Flander (SLO) crashed just
before the finish line. It was the season’s second victory for the Frenchman
who took over the World Cup lead again. In the battle for third, Roland Haldi
(SUI) relegated Matthew Morison from Canada to the fourth spot.
No one – including
Bozzetto – would have expected that the 34-years-old would be able to bring
home his career’s 33rd triumph after his victory at the 2007/2008
season opener in Landgraaf as he had to face a maximum penalty time of 1.29
seconds prior the second and decisive final run. But the French rider got off a
good start and reduced the gap to Flander at each of the 29 gates – until the
Slovenian crashed: “I never believed that I would have a chance against Rok
(Flander) after such a lag because he rides so strong and stable and one can’t
put him under pressure at all.” But this is what Bozzetto did making “Mr.
Slalom” all smiles: “I’m a slalom guy. That’s my life!”
In addition, Bozzetto
is heading for the next year as World Cup leader after today’s Yellow Jersey
bearer Daniel Biveson was disqualified. It was a bitter 31st
birthday for the Swede as it was the first time that he was starting as top
ranked rider of the World Cup.
In the ladies’
competition, Julia Dujmovits sprang a surprise on the probably longest
PSL-slope “Piste de l’Alpage” in the World Cup circuit taking home her first
ever World Cup Gold medal. The 20-years-old rider showed some constant
snowboarding the whole day long and therefore was able to knock out Svetlana
Boldikova (RUS), last year’s winner Selina Joerg (GER) and Nicolien Sauerbreij
(NED). In the final, she also took benefit from a crash of her competitor Heidi
Neururer who had been able to catch up with her team mate before: “I’m so
happy. I was once second in 2006 in Japan but tore my ACL’s thereafter.
Thus, it was very important for me to come back in such a strong squad. I’m
more than pleased that I finally made it.”
More Facts:
Participants:
47 ladies – 58 men from 19 nations
Name of the course: Piste de l’Alpage
Length of course:
380 metres
Vertical drop:
110 metres
Gates:
29
Conditions:
perfect snow conditions, minus 10 degrees
Additional Quotes:
Heidi Neururer, Austria,
Second: “I’m a little bit angry because I think I could have
won today. I still don’t know what I did wrong. But I’m pleased with the
result. I was four times on the podium in four races – I think I can enjoy
this.”
Rok Flander, Slovenia,
Second, about his crash just before the finish line: “I’m very disappointed. I don’t know how this could happen at all. I
wasn’t concentrated for a short moment and that was it. This must not happen!”
Nicolien Sauerbreij, Netherlands, Third: “I didn’t know what I should
expect from today after I brought here a little injury from Limone Piemonte so
my left leg had to be taped. But it’s just working right now. I’m happy with
the result.”
Roland Haldi, Switzerland,
Third: “I’m very pleased with the podium spot as the whole
starter field is getting closer and closer together. It was a tough race with
very long runs but I felt well the whole day. I deserve the third rank!”
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