Hofmeister and Prommegger back to winning ways in Bansko
Jan 18, 2025·Snowboard Alpine)
The 2024-25 VISA FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup tour’s blazing pace rolled on to Bulgaria for a parallel giant slalom race in Bansko. The top riders in the world delivered on the drama amidst a joyful crowd and picturesque landscape.
The sun was shining and the conditions were perfect as Ramona Theresia Hofmesiter (GER) won her second race in a row and Andreas Prommegger (AUT) finally topped the podium for the first time this season.
Hofmeister finds her form
It has been a difficult season for the defending overall champion Hofmeister but things seem to be turning around for the snowboard star. Hofmeister is back in form as she put together perfect runs on Saturday on her way to victory.
It was a second-straight win for Hofmeister after she took first in Bad Gastein earlier this week. That gives her two straight wins after missing every podium so far this season. It is her 51st career World Cup podium after she led team Germany to a podium finish in the mixed team event earlier this week as well.
It was another mighty matchup in the big final as Hofmeister went up against the current overall leader Tsubaki Miki (JPN). It was the second-straight time these two stars faced off in the big final. Hofmeister has gotten the best of Miki both times.
It was an extra special day for Hofmeister. Following the win, she dedicated the victory to a special member of her team and former coach who lost his life last year.
Hofmeister now moves into fourth in the overall standings after a rough start to the season. The win gives her 22 career individual World Cup victories.
Elsewhere, Miki continues her incredible consistency this season. She finished second for the third time this season. The young Japanese star has podiumed in eight of nine individual races this season, tightening her grip on the overall standings lead.
Rounding out the podium was Aleksandra Krol-Walas (POL) who was ecstatic to win the small final. The Polish snowboarder was smiling from ear-to-ear when she clinched her spot in the top three. It is a great comeback season for Krol-Walas who missed last season.
It is the fifth podium of the season for Krol-Walas. She holds the yellow bib as the PGS leader.
Behind the top three was Michelle Dekker (NED) who put together another solid day. Gloria Kotnik (SLO) ended the day in fifth.
Former Bansko winner Julie Zogg (AUI) was knocked out in the first round. Sabine Payer (AUT) was dealt a tough draw once again and lost to Miki in the quarterfinals. Jasmin Coratti (ITA) was also knocked out in the quarterfinals.
Women’s PGS Standings
Aleksandra Krol-Walas (POL) - 426 points
Tsubaki Miki (JPN) - 390 points
Sabine Payer (AUT) - 326 points
Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER) - 273 points
Jasmin Coratti (ITA) - 260 points
Prommegger takes top spot for first time this season
Andreas Prommegger (AUT) gets his first win of the season after three previous podiums. It was a tough earned victory for the Austrian veteran.
The win moves Prommegger into first place in the overall standings race for the crystal globe. He also slides up to second in the PGS race, 20 points behind Maurizio Bormolini (ITA).
It was the 73rd World Cup career podium for the 44-year-old. He took down his teammate Benjamin Karl (AUT) in the final. Karl returned after skipping Bad Gastein for personal reasons. It was a battle of wily old vets as the 39-year-old Karl reached his 57th career World Cup podium.
Both Austrians will be among the favorites going into day two in Bansko. Prommegger is hoping to sweep the weekend’s races.
Rounding out the podium was Gabriel Messner (ITA). He posted the fastest qualifying time before suffering a DNF in the semifinals.
One of the best stories on the day was Radoslav Yankov (BUL) gunning for glory in front of the home crowd. The local favorite was attempting to win in his home country for the second time in his career.
However, the 34-year-old ran into some friendly fire as fellow Bulgarian Termel Zamfirov (BUL) rose up to the challenge. The 19-year-old Zamfirov made his ninth career start and edged out Yankov in a thrilling quarterfinal matchup. The youngster then went on to lose the small final to set a new career-high finish.
PGS leader Bormolini (ITA) finished seventh, Edwin Coratti (ITA) was sixth. Their Italian teammate Daniele Bagozza (ITA) did not qualify for the finals.
Men’s PGS Standings
Maurizio Bormolini (ITA) - 302 points
Andreas Prommegger (AUT) - 282 points
Radoslav Yankov (BUL) - 266 points
Tim Mastnak (SLO) - 248 points
Edwin Coratti (ITA) - 245 points
The men and women will return to the same slope for another PGS race on Sunday in Bansko. The finals will start at 14:15 local time with qualifying occurring in the morning beforehand. There will also be an awards ceremony at 18:00 at Bansko's main square on Saturday and a public bib draw at 18:30 local time.
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