New competition format and record participation kick off the Para Snowboard season in Landgraaf

A record-breaking 122 World Cup and Continental Cup Para Snowboard athletes gathered once again in Landgraaf (NED) for the season opener – a competition held inside the venue’s iconic indoor snow facility. The event featured two Banked Slalom races conducted in a revamped format inspired by Snowboard Cross.

Under the new system, athletes completed two qualification runs, after which the four fastest riders advanced to head-to-head “heats.” The top qualifier faced the fourth seed, while the second and third qualifiers competed against each other. The winners of these heats moved on to the grand final, while the remaining two riders battled for third place in a small final.

Positive feedback from the season’s first winners

The season’s first victors embraced the new format despite acknowledging its challenges.

“For me, the new format is cool,” said Maxime Montaggioni (FRA), who claimed victory in the first Banked Slalom and finished third in the second race in the Men’s Upper Limb category. “It brings some opposition, even in a Banked Slalom where we compete one by one. I’m just the illustration that it’s not necessary to have the best time to win the competition. So, it’s more open. I think you have to be focused until the end. You can’t stay with your good time at qualification; you have to do more, so for me it’s interesting, and I hope it will continue like this.”

Montaggioni’s remarks were exemplified by Aron Fahrni (SUI), whose standout performances across the final "heats" underscored the format's competitive dynamics. On the first day, Fahrni clocked the fastest time in the heats during the small final, ultimately securing third place behind Montaggioni and Jacopo Luchini (ITA). On the second day, Fahrni maintained his speed, and as the fastest qualifier, advanced to the big final where he emerged victorious, highlighting the importance of sustained focus and strategic execution in the new format.

Irati Idiakez Lopez (ESP), who secured double victories in the Women’s Upper Limb category, shared: “At first, I wondered if it would be okay, but now I think it’s more competitive, and I like it!”

Noah Elliott (USA), a double winner in the Men’s Lower Limb 1 category, added: “In the past, we’ve experimented with different formats, including dual Banked Slalom. This new format blends elements of that with single Banked Slalom. So, it was really unique and I did find it enjoyable so it was really cool to try it out and hopefully we’ll continue to do that, because I think it’s more interesting for TV and for people to watch.”

Winning the first race: a crucial milestone

Regardless of the format, winning the first World Cup race of the season carries significant weight, offering insight into athletes’ current form and the effectiveness of their summer training.

“It’s always important to win the first race,” said Emanuel Perathoner (ITA), who aims to continue his dominance in the Men’s Lower Limb 2 category across Banked Slalom and Snowboard Cross. “You don’t know if you’re fast until you compete against the others.”

Cécile Hernandez (FRA), who triumphed twice in the Women’s Lower Limb category, echoed this sentiment: “It’s always important to win the first race of the season. It wasn’t the goal. We trained a lot over the summer, made changes to the board, and adapted for my disability. This race was like a test, and finally it’s a victory so I’m very very happy.”

Eyes on the World Championships

While the race in Landgraaf marked a promising start, most athletes have their sights set on the 2024/25 season’s pinnacle event: the World Championships in Big White, Canada, in March.

A Competitive Chinese Delegation Returns

This season opener also marked the return of a strong Chinese delegation to the international circuit. Absent for several seasons, several Paralympic medalists from China are starting their comeback in the Continental Cup to regain enough points for World Cup participation and, crucially, to qualify for the World Championships and the Milan-Cortina Paralympics.

“It was important to score big here in Landgraaf,” said Maxime Montaggioni. “The Chinese athletes in the Europa Cup don’t have enough points to be in the World Cup yet, but they will soon and their times are really crazy, so it’s a good thing for me to achieve the first place, but I’m realistic and I know I have to work a lot to keep up for the rest of the season.”

All results are available here: FIS Para Snowboard - Landgraaf (NED) - Event Details

The next stage of the FIS Para Snowboard World Cup will take athletes to Pyhä, Finland, from 17th to 19th January 2025, where the competition will shift gears with two Snowboard Cross races. This marks the first opportunity of the season for riders to showcase their skills in head-to-head racing, promising more thrilling action and intense rivalries as the race for the globe continues.