Ledecka and Prommegger prevail in Rogla PGS
Aug 31, 2018·Snowboard Alpine
Ester Ledecka (CZE) and Andreas Prommegger (AUT) have claimed victory in the first of two parallel giant slalom races staged in Rogla this weekend.
While the Czech superstar made it four out of four in the PGS World Cup it was the season's first win in an individual event for the two-time World Champion from Austria.
By beating veteran Claudia Riegler (AUT) in the women's final, Ledecka also secured her fourth win in six races in the Slovenian resort with today's one being the third in a row.
But her Austrian rival made it a tough battle for Ledecka as both racers went down head to head until the third to last gate when Riegler eventually made the decisive mistake which paved the way for this season's dominating athlete's three-peat on the Jasa slope.
“It was great to fight with Ester. We have been doing the qualification together twice today where she was ahead significantly. But in the big final, we were tied until the last three gates. Then I did risk a little bit too much, but it was great that I was able to give her a tough fight,” said Riegler, a 44-year-old from Flachau, who earned her season's third podium.
Her teammate Julia Dujmovits (AUT) rounded out the podium as third crossing the finish line only 0.11 seconds ahead of local favourite Gloria Kotnik (SLO) who therefore secured her career's best result in her 105th start.
Over in the men's competition, Prommegger had the whip hand over Edwin Coratti (ITA) in a thrilling and exciting final with the tiny mere of 0.05 seconds therefore finally bringing home a win – right when he least expected it to come.
“This win is very important for me as I have started to reckon that my set-up is not at 100%. That's why I chose a board which I haven't used this season so far. I wanted to change something. That it paid off is a dream come true; especially here in Rogla where I didn't expect anything at all,” he explained.
In the battle for third, Benjamin Karl (AUT) who just came back from an injury break two weeks ago placed third coming in only 0.04 seconds ahead of Aaron March (ITA).
The FIS Alpine Snowboard World Cup tour continues tomorrow with another PGS in Rogla which is the last event of the international Olympic qualifier process for Pyeongchang 2018.
Live timing links for the respective races will be online here. Live TV information can be gathered here.
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