‘No pressure’ for home hope Fischnaller as Snowboard Alpine World Cup begins
Dec 15, 2023·Snowboard Alpine
Italy’s Dolomites set the stage for the opening runs of the 2023/24 FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup. And as the anticipation builds, no one may be more excited than Roland Fischnaller (ITA).
“I am happy the training is finally over. I like to compete,” Fischnaller said ahead of the season-opening races in Carezza and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The 43-year-old rider knows these slopes very well, especially the course in Cortina, where he has made the podium nine times in nine races, winning five, during a World Cup career which spans more than a quarter of a century.
With two World Cup wins in Carezza to his name too, one of his victories last season came in Cortina, where he must possess the secret key to unlocking the steep hills.
“There is no key,” Fischnaller said. “I just like competing at home in the Dolomites. Everyone from other countries says it’s the best race in the World Cup.
“Cortina is definitely my favourite spot in the World Cup.”
The evergreen performer faces stiff competition in the parallel giant slalom as he looks to maintain his podium streak. Oskar Kwiatkowski (POL) and Andreas Prommegger (AUT) are two to watch among those who will try to knock off the Italian.
No worries for Fischnaller.
“(At) 43 years old, pressure, what is that?” Fischnaller said with a laugh. “Twenty years-plus of racing, no pressure. No, definitely not.”
A former world champion who has competed at six Olympic Winter Games, the Italian may be biased about his homeland but he is not alone in expressing his love for the FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup stops in the Dolomites. Prommegger, too, is enthralled to start the season in northern Italy – the Austrian just prefers Carezza over Cortina. He has three podiums including two wins on the mountain, one of which was last season.
“Carezza is one of my favourite stops in the season,” Prommegger said. “I like the Dolomites. The race slope in Carezza is always difficult to ride.
“The final goes down with less light so you have to trust in your feelings. So far it has worked well for me in Carezza.”
The pressure is on Prommegger to defend his title. Or maybe not.
“I am just excited,” said the Austrian, who is also 43. “I know I can jump on the podium at any time but it is important to start well in the season, it is important for the head.
“Of course I want to reach the podium again in Carezza but anything can happen in parallel riding.”
The love for the two Dolomite parallel giant slalom courses extends to the women’s side of the FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup tour.
“The start of the season could not be in a better place,” Slovenia’s Gloria Kotnik said. “I love the Dolomites, especially Cortina, it is my favourite race. I can’t wait to be back.”
Kotnik topped her only podium of last season in Cortina, and will be among the favourites once again this weekend. Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER) took the 2022/23 PGS crystal globe and will look to get out to a hot start with a win in the season-opener this time round.
The field in Carezza will be deep. Last year’s winner Michelle Dekker (NED) will be among the contenders, and knows she will need to find her blazing speed from last season to defend her title.
“I’m going to once again carry the speed from the steep to the flats. This is what led me to success last year and I hope to continue it this year,” Dekker said.
Julie Zogg (SUI) claimed the overall title last season and could contend for gold in both races this week. The multisport Olympic gold medallist Ester Ledecka (CZE) cannot be overlooked if she makes the start list this weekend.
RACE SCHEDULE
Thursday 14 December – Carezza, Italy – Parallel Giant Slalom (M & W) 13:15 CET
Saturday 16 December – Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – Parallel Giant Slalom (M & W) 18:00 CET
Schedule subject to change due to weather conditions.
WHERE TO WATCH - Carezza
WHERE TO WATCH - Cortina d'Ampezzo
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