Wildschönau Slaloms: Italians Show Strength

While snowfall has been abundant on the Italian side, unfortunately, the lower-altitude Austrian ski areas are lacking. The low snowfall has led to several modifications in the program of the Para Alpine Skiing World Cup. The two slalom races scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Hopfgarten (AUT) have been moved to Wildschönau (AUT), which was already preparing to host two giant slalom races later in the week.

These changes haven't disrupted the Italian team, once again showing strength in technical events. Among men, a representative of the Italian team has reached the podium in each category in both slalom races. The duo Giacomo Bertagnolli and his guide Andrea Ravelli, as well as Rene' De Silvestro, each achieved double victories in the Men Vision Impaired and Men Sitting categories. In the Men Standing category, still dominated by the Frenchman Arthur Bauchet, Federico Pelizzari seems to have regained confidence and consistency as he finished third in the first slalom and second in the second. Among women, their compatriots Martina Vozza and her guide Ylenia Sabidussi also climbed the podium twice in the Women Vision Impaired category, finishing third each time, behind the leaders of their category, the Aigner sisters (AUT), Veronika and her guide Elisabeth, and the Slovak duo of Alexandra Rexova and her guide Hugo Rybar.

It's worth mentioning that the Aigner family, playing at home this time, once again excelled in the Vision Impaired categories. Just as consistent as his sisters, Johannes Aigner (AUT), accompanied by his guide Nico Haberl (AUT), fought for victory each time, missing it on the first day by just 23 hundredths in total for both runs. The podium was completed by Alexander Rauen (GER) and his guide Jeremias Wilke (GER). Again, within the same second as the winners, the Austrian duo secured another second place in the second slalom held in Wildschönau, this time ahead of Michal Golas (POL) and his guide Kacper Walas (POL).

In the Standing and Sitting categories, both for women and men, the leaders continue to assert their dominance. Ebba Aarsjoe (SWE) once again triumphs in the Women Standing category, in both slaloms, ahead of Marie Bochet (FRA) and Anna-Maria Rieder (GER) each time. The same ideal scenario unfolds for Anna-Lena Forster (GER), who adds two more World Cup victories to her impressive record. She wins twice ahead of the young Spaniard Audrey Pascual Seco. At the end of the second slalom, the podium in the Women Sitting category is completed by Nette Kiviranta (FIN), who unfortunately did not finish the race the day before. In the Men Standing category, Cuche (SUI) and Lindstroem (SWE) facing elimination in the first slalom, and struggling  the next day with mixed results, allowed Arthur Bauchet (FRA) to once again sweep the board and secure an additional 200 points, already ensuring him the globe of the discipline. It's worth noting that he once again shared the podium with a compatriot, this time with Oscar Burnham (FRA), second in the first slalom – his first World Cup podium! Ultimately, the two slaloms in Wildschönau proved to be highly contested races within the top 6 of the Men Sitting category. Behind the Italian leader, Jesper Pedersen (NOR) also climbed the podium twice, finishing second and third. The podium on the first day was completed by Nicolas Bisquertt Hudson (CHI), who continues to make history for Chilean alpine skiing as it was his second World Cup podium and the second World Cup podium for his nation! Falling just short of the podium at the end of the same day, Jeroen Kampschreur (NED) took his revenge the next day by placing second.

After these first two technical events and considering the weather forecasts, organizers tried their luck by moving the first giant slalom race scheduled for Friday to Thursday, but due to lack of refreezing, athletes unfortunately couldn't start. The race scheduled for Saturday also had to be canceled. The next Para Alpine Skiing World Cup events will take place in Kranjska Gora (SLO) from March 12 to 15.