Montafon stages back-to-back SBX competitions
Dec 08, 2021·Snowboard Cross
“Servus” from the beautiful Austrian alps in Montafon! After some recovery time following the season-opener on the Olympic track in Secret Garden (CHN), it is time to get back into the start gate for some more FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup action.
Montafon has definitely established itself as one of the most classical stops on the tour and never disappoints in terms of passings, action and some real head-to-head fights. And all of that in the beautiful setting of Silvretta in Montafon.
Although this edition of the FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup will be held without spectators, due to Covid-19 regulations imposed by the Austrian government, fans will be for sure witnessing a great show in front of their TV’s and other devices.
Status-quo on the women’s side
We need to start this section by mentioning “Ms. Moustache” Eva Samkova from the Czech Republic. Not only because she won the crystal globe last season and not just because she did win the season-opening competition in Secret Garden two weeks ago, but also because she is the only female athlete who managed to take the win twice here on Austrian soil. The first time was in December 2013 and the last time was at the last competition held here in Montafon, which dates back to December 2019.
Samkova’s biggest rival and third place medallist from the Olympic test event in China, Michela Moioli (ITA) took home the victory one on this track. For sure we can expect a tight battle between these two, as the entire last season.
We saw also a very strong performance by the current World Champion, Charlotte Bankes from Great Britain in China, taking second place in a tight battle wit Eva Samkova in a couple of sections.
But, also never forget about strong riders like Aussie Belle Brockhoff (AUS), who also took home a victory in Montafon in 2016 and of course, one can never count out French athletes like Chloe Trespeuch.
Haemmerle to defend title at home
On the men’s competition, we are looking at three-time crystal globe winner and 2021 Vice-World Champion Alessandro Haemmerle’s home soil. Literally. The 28-year-old Austrian from Montafon won his home race for the first time in 2015 and then again in 2019 at the last competition here.
Haemmerle, just like Eva Samkova, took the first victory of the season in China and will be for sure on fire to win at home.
He will have to fight strong against competitiors like Omar Visintin (ITA), who came in second in Secret Garden and who has won the very first SBX race in Montafon in 2012.
Eliot Grondin, Canada’s young gun will for sure want to prove that he has more to give than what we saw at the season-opener.
Oh, and wait a minute, as Nick Baumgartner (USA) said after getting in third in China…”never count out the old guys”. The39-year-old showed some real racing routine when hitting that podium spot. What a show – we want more of this please!
The course line is slightly different than the years before, so it will be exciting to see who will be able to adapt best and perform on the highest level to take the top spots of the podium in this year’s edition.
And if this wasn’t enough, after Friday’s individual competition, there will be a mixed-team event going down on Saturday. It will be cool to say, which woman and man from a nation team up the best and will take the win. We can’t wait to see the season premiere of this race format. Also worth mentioning: The mixed-team event will be an Olympic event for the first time in history at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. It’s going to be one for the history books, folks!
So, full focus on an action-packed pair of racing this Friday and Saturday. Qualifications are set for Thursday December 9 at 10:50 CET for men and at 13:50 CET for women, which you can follow via live timing on our Website or via FIS App.
The individual competition is slated to go down on Friday, December 10 at 13:00 CET and the mixed-team event will be staged on Saturday, December 11 at 11:00 CET.
Montafon title defenders from December 2019: Eva Samkova (CZE) and Alessandro Haemmerle (AUT).
WATCH LIVE (subject to change)
Friday, Dec 10 at 13:00 CET:
ORF 1 (Austria), YLE (Finland), Eurosport, HRT (Croatia), RTV SLO (Slovenia), CZ TV (Czech Republic), SRG (Switzerland), SVT (Sweden), RTVS (Slovakia)
Saturday, Dec 11 at 11:00 CET:
ORF Sport+ (Austria), YLE (Finland), Eurosport, HRT (Croatia), RTV SLO (Slovenia), CZ TV (Czech Republic), SRG (Switzerland), SVT (Sweden), RTVS (Slovakia)
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