After three days of nasty weather, pure sunshine was a consolation today for everyone at Berchtesgaden for the 11th stage of the Nokia Snowboard FIS World Cup.
Sweden's Richard Richardsson seems to really like the Goetschen — he became Parallel Giant Slalom World Champion on this slope in 1999 and today he claimed the win after a hard fight all the way through the finals.
"It was hard to do," Richardsson said, "when some sections became very bumpy in the finals and I made a lot of mistakes. I am glad I made the podium again and it was great to even win the race. I had a good feeling today but was also lucky when some of my rivals made mistakes as well. I just tried my best even if I was behind and it paid off."
Alexander Maier from Austria made it to the finals for the first time in a PGS and then won over Philipp Schoch from Switzerland, German rider Markus Ebner and France's Mathieu Bozzetto to ultimately be beaten by Richard Richardsson in the duel for 1st place.
Maier had been in the lead in the first run against the Swede but then crashed and although he made up time in the second run he was back by a total 1.35 seconds.
"It was the first time I made a PGS final today," Maier said, "and I am glad I got second but I was pushing for the win after I got to that final heat and just lost it by this mistake. The blue course was faster in the last section so it would have been possible."
Bozzetto beat Austria's Andreas Prommegger in the small final for 3rd place.
"I was really worried in the qualifications," Bozzetto said, "but it went much better in the finals where there is always two runs to advance to the next round. My rhythm was fine and the luck was on my side also against Dieter Krassnig — he was so strong today." The Austrian had beaten Bozzetto in the first final heat but was disqualified for crossing a gate.
Pulling 3rd today Bozzetto is still sitting in 1st place in the Parallel standings ahead of Krassnig, 15th today, and Nicolas Huet from France who missed making the finals.
Italy's Carmen Ranigler and Sweden's Sara Fischer faced each other in the final duel in the women's race. Leading after the first run, the Italian almost pulled out in the second run and Fischer tried her best to close the gap but Ranigler took the win by 56 hundredths of a second.
"That was close," Ranigler said, "and I am glad I pulled it together after I made this mistake. The only means was to go 'everything or nothing.' With a second crash I would have lost it but I did not have a choice and it was the right decision."
Fischer took 2nd and claimed her first-ever podium in Parallel Giant Slalom. "I am so tired," she said, "and the runs against Carmen have been very hard. When she made that mistake in the second run I just tried to get it to the finish since I was sure she was trying hard to get back on her feet. I was pushing for the win but I am fine with second place."
Margherita Parini and Lidia Trettel made the small final for 3rd place an Italian duel with Parini finally taking the bronze.
Karine Ruby from France, knocked out by Sara Fischer in the quarterfinals, went 5th place but kept the lead in the Parallel World Cup with Ranigler in second now ahead of US rider Rosey Fletcher who finished 10th today.
With bib number 78, a famous name was on the men's start list: Olympic Giant Slalom champion Ross Rebagliati from Canada, who has not been seen on the World Cup tour for almost two years. Finishing 41st today did not hurt too much after such a break but he obviously enjoyed riding again.
"It feels nice to be back on the board," he said when he got to the finish in the qualifications. "I was pretty busy after the Olympics and needed to take some time off after racing for the past 13 years. I spent the break freeriding, hanging out at home with my friends. Two months ago I started training again and it feels great to be back in a race. I need to get used to Parallel racing which wasn't my favorite, but it is just a matter of accepting the discipline and not working against it. I'd definitely like to make the Olympic team again and just have to give it a little time. If I do not go to Salt Lake then I am going to push for Torino..."
The World Cup heads on to Sapporo/Makomanai, Japan, now February 16-18 February featuring Snowboard Cross, Parallel Giant Slalom and Halfpipe.
— Britta Semmler, MountainZone.com Correspondent
