World Cup leaders Ledecka and Galmarini rule Lackenhof PGS

Ester Ledecka (CZE) and Nevin Galmarini (SUI) have claimed the 2017-18 FIS Snowboard World Cup season's third parallel giant slalom which was staged today at Lackenhof / Oetscher.

At the debut of the family friendly ski resort as a World Cup host, the second ever in Lower Austria, the reigning World Champion from the Czech Republic once again underlined, that she is currently the racer to beat when it comes to head-to-head duals.

After having posted the best qualifier time in all three races of the Alpine Snowboard World Cup tour so far, she once again nailed it in the time trials against the clock.

Going into the knock out rounds knowing that she will have the right to choose the line in all heats, she kept the momentum in the finals of the top-16 dominating all of her duels on the crooked and wavy Distel slope.

Storming down the 510 metres long course like clockwork, Ledecka made it three in a row on the PGS World Cup circuit beating Olympic PSL Champion Julia Dujmovits in the women's final.

“It was a very good race which no one had expected to develop like this as the weather forecast was actually very bad. Race Organisers did a very good job on both courses. I always chose the yellow course which was perfect for me. So I tried to push it in every heat. It is a great result, and I'm very happy about it,” Ledecka said after her career's twelfth.

The 22-year-old winter sport talent has now won all three PGS events of the season and is therefore the undisputed World Cup leader in both, the PGS and Overall standings.

Dujmovits, who made a big mistake in the finals, was still pleased with the outcome of the first of four races in Austria in a row.

“It was great riding here in Lackenhof. It was a great audience, and it's nice for sure to place on the podium at an home soil event, especially as we have a very strong team here in Austria.

We are fighting in every race for an Olympic team spot. I knew I'm strong but it is a relief that I finally have a good result locked in,” Dujmovits stated.

Jenny Ladina (SUI) rounded out the podium in third with Ekaterina Tudegesheva (RUS) placing fourth.

Galmarini with career's second

While the women's decision was another domination of power by Ledecka, the men's final became a thrilling duel between Galmarini and Rok Marguc with the Swiss athlete coming out successful.

After Galmarini had made a big mistake in the top part of the slope, he was able to retrieve his error catching up gate by gate and finally passing his rival from Slovenia on the line with the tiny advantage of 0.01 seconds.

“Today was insane. My first qualifier run was OK, the second was one to forget. I was eleventh after the qualifiers, and I knew that I wouldn't be able to choose the line. At first I thought it would be a disadvantage for me but I was able to make the best out of it.

In the end it was super close with Rok – so gratulations on his performance as well. But as it's only my second World Cup win, it's just an amazing day for me. Unbelievable, I'm really happy,” Galmarini said.

Earning his career's second the Silver medallist from Sochi 2014 not only extended his PGS World Cup lead but also took over the Overall World Cup lead from Roland Fischnaller (ITA) who was held to a tenth rank finish today.

Alexander Payer (AUT) secured the third rank winning the small final against best qualifier Zan Kosir (SLO).

The Alpine Snowboard World Cup tour will continue tomorrow with this winter's first parallel giant slalom team event slated for 11 AM CET.

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Results