Italian men chase another clean sweep in Rogla
Jan 24, 2024·Snowboard Alpine
There is no slowing down on the FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup tour as a loaded January schedule continues with a stop in Rogla. The best of the best boarders will take on a parallel giant slalom in Slovenia’s Pohorje Mountains just four days after the previous race in Pamporovo, Bulgaria.
When Rogla last hosted a World Cup event, in March, Coratti (pictured) finished third as part of an Italian clean sweep of the men’s podium behind Roland Fischnaller (ITA) and Mikro Felicetti (ITA). “We were able to do that, but I don't think that it will happen again,” Coratti said. “There are too many other athletes that are very strong this year and it also needs a bit of luck.”
With eight podiums, including three for Coratti, in seven World Cup races this season, the Italians have been making their own luck, helped by the friendly rivalry within the team.
“It's great that we can compete together in the finals,” Coratti said. “We all have big respect to each other, we train the whole year together and we are all friends. So we can enjoy it and be happy for the others if they win.”
This includes the aforementioned three as well as Maurizio Bormolini (ITA), a winner in Bad Gastein, Austria in January.
The Italians will have to hold off a wave of Austrians, including overall tour leader Benjamin Karl (AUT), who won two of the first three PGS races of the season.
Miki eyes first victory of the season in Ledecka’s absence
On the women’s side, Tsubaki Miki (JPN) is knocking on the door of a breakthrough victory after four third-place finishes this season, including two in PGS.
“I feel not bad, not good,” the 20-year-old, who finished third in Rogla last season, said. “I want to get a Big Final and victory but I always lose in the semi-final. I’m glad to get to a podium but I need to go to another level.
“For me, race is same as training. Think and try, think and try. I don’t think I need to change my way, but I have to get an image like ‘let’s go big final’!”
There is one major obstacle standing between world champion Miki and the World Cup the summit, Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER), who dominated the early part of the season with four wins in five races. She will once again be the favourite in Rogla, especially with the absence of dual-sport star Ester Ledecka (CZE) a winner in Pamporovo but sitting out the race in Rogla.
However, Miki is not intimidated by the German. In fact, the Japanese starlet has taken out the overall leader twice already this season, one of only two riders – Ledecka being the other – to do so. What is the secret?
“Umm, this is very difficult question,” Miki said. “She is the athlete I respect the most. So I’m riding while learning from her. Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose. But I’m glad and it’s an honour to be able to fight with her.”
Both will be among the favourites to podium, with Sabine Schoeffmann (AUT) a leading contender to crash the party. The Austrian won in Rogla last season and is pushing for her first victory of this campaign, having placed second in two of the previous three races, plus two other podiums.
She will be joined by Italian pair of Lucia Dalmasso (ITA) and Jasmin Coratti (ITA) – Edwin’s sister – who have combined for five podiums this season including Dalmasso’s PGS win in Scuol, Switzerland.
RACE SCHEDULE
The one-day even begins with qualification on the morning of January 25. The knockout rounds begin at 14:00 CET (local time).
The tour will then move to Simonhohe, Austria on January 27-28. The riders will compete in a PGS race and amixed team PGS event.
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