Hofmeister is back on top in Bad Gastein while March spoils Austrian hopes
Jan 14, 2025·Snowboard Alpine)
It is a highlight of the VISA FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup circuit. Throughout its 25 years of World Cup races, Bad Gastein always delivers the drama and the 2025 parallel slalom race under the lights was no different. There were shocking results, raucous crowds, tough conditions, superstar redemption, grueling conditions and bumping music to set the scene for a memorable night.
A night that will be more memorable for the victorious Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER) and Aaron March (ITA). Hofmeister returns to the podium after a rough start to the season while March claims his first World Cup victory since 2021.
She’s Back!
The defending overall champion had a humbling 2024-25 season before Bad Gastein, failing to podium thus far after six victories and seven podiums last season. Yet Ramona Theresia Hofmeister would not be deterred.
Hofmeister returned to form at one of her favorite tracks to defend her title at Bad Gastein with a resounding win. She posted the fastest qualifying time and took out all the big names before a duel with current overall leader and on-course rival Tsubaki Miki (JPN) in the big final. After Miki caught a bit of an edge, she could not keep up with the blazing Hofmeister who took the win. The German elicited a massive scream of joy after crossing the line.
The return to glory came at a perfect time and place for Hofmeister.
The win gives her a fighting chance to chase for the overall title if she can string together some victories down the stretch of the season. She is currently sixth in the overall standings.
Hofmeister now has 21 individual World Cup victories to her name. The long list of wins goes along with 49 career World Cup podiums.
Behind Hofmeister was a mighty challenge in Miki who extended her overall and PSL leads with the second place. The young Japanese star has been the dominant force in the sport this season. Tuesday’s result gives her eight podiums in nine races this season.
Elisa Caffont (ITA) took the small final over Flurina Neva Baetschi (SUI) for her second career World Cup individual podium and fifth overall. Caffont was the bright spot for the Italian team who struggled on the day.
Jasmin Coratti (ITA) finished third in Bad Gastein last season but suffered a DNF in the first round on Tuesday. Lucia Dalmasso (ITA) fell in the quarterfinals to Claudia Riegler (AUT).
The icy conditions were tricky for most. Riegler caught an edge and dropped out in the quarterfinals. Her Austrian teammate Sabine Payer (AUT) was ousted by Hofmeister in the quarterfinals. Swiss star Julie Zogg (SUI) was the second-fastest in qualifying but suffered a DNF in the quarterfinals.
Women’s PSL standings
Tsubaki Miki (JPN) - 360 points
Sabine Payer (AUT) - 226 points
Claudia Riegler (AUT) - 197 points
Michelle Dekker (NED) - 189 points
Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER) - 181 points
March survives the Austrian team and home crowd for victory
It was a tough day for the Italian team on the men’s side as well but don’t worry Aaron March (ITA) had things covered. March takes the top spot for the first time since 2021. It was a tough run in the final as March beat Andreas Prommegger (AUT) and the Austrian fans.
It is a monumental moment for March. It is his third podium of the season and 21st overall in his career. It was extra special to do it in Bad Gastein especially after March put in a lot of work for this moment over the holiday break.
Prommegger falls just short of home glory in second place. The 44-year-old now has 71 career World Cup podiums including four wins at Bad Gastein.
In third place was another shocking moment as Cody Winters (USA) finally broke through for his first World Cup Snowboard Alpine podium. The young American competes in both Snowboard Alpine and Cross and has not reached a podium in either discipline. He has finished just outside the podium multiple times with five fourth-place finishes. Winters was euphoric to finally reach the triumvirate.
It was the first podium in Snowboard Alpine for Team USA since Justin Reiter (USA) in Moscow 2015.
Alexander Payer (AUT) lost the small final to Winters. His Austrian teammate Arvid Auner (AUT) rounded out the top five as the Austrian hopefuls fell short in front of the home crowd. Auner now owns the yellow bib as the PSL leader.
Elsewhere, it was a rough day for the Italian contenders Daniele Bagozza (ITA) was upset in the first round and Maurizio Bormolini (ITA) was stunned in the same stage after qualifying first.
Tim Mastnak (SLO) did not qualify for the finals and Benjamin Karl (AUT) did not start as he is dealing with motivation issues. He will also sit out the next event in Bansko.
Men’s PSL Standings
Arvid Auner (AUT) - 219 points
Gabriel Messner (ITA) - 216 points
Daniele Bagozza (ITA) - 208 points
Andreas Prommegger (AUT) - 204 points
Benjamin Karl (AUT) - 161 points
The men and women will now team up for the mixed parallel team event on Wednesday at Bad Gastein. There will be 21 teams competing with 16 moving on from qualification to the final knockout rounds. Austria will have four teams in the field and will be the favorites. The schedule is as follows.
10.00 Course setting
13:30-14:00 Inspection
14:30-15:30 Qualification
16:00 Finals
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