Snowboard Alpine tackles the Swiss challenge of Davos before holiday break

Dec 20, 2024·Snowboard Alpine

The VISA 2024-25 FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup moves on to the Swiss Alps town of Davos for a thrilling parallel slalom event. The riders will compete head to head for the podium spots on December 21. This season has been wide open with nine different snowboarders to top the podium. Davos promises another enthralling day of racing. It will be interesting conditions as a fresh blanket of 15cm of snow fell on Davos on Thursday night.

Can the Swiss star take home glory?

It will be the second ever edition of Snowboard Alpine World Cup action in Davos. The slopes may be unfamiliar for some but the Swiss snow provides a great opportunity for Julie Zogg (SUI) to make a splash in front of the home fans. She knows the course well.

“In Davos, the key is definitely to handle the roller well, as it’s very challenging,” Zogg said. “It’s great to have a home race like this. I don’t feel any pressure, I just want to enjoy the atmosphere. My family and friends will be there to support me.”

Zogg delivered strong performances in the early stages of the campaign. She especially excelled in the slalom races with two third-place finishes in both PSL races this season.

“The first two slalom races went really well for me. Now, I hope to show my form here in Davos too. I’m very motivated to deliver my best snowboarding here,” Zogg said.

The former overall champion will face stiff competition from riders like Tsubaki Miki (JPN) and Sabine Payer (AUT) who occupied multiple podium spots already this season. Aleksandra Krol-Walas (POL) is another name to watch as she has been on a tear since returning to the World Cup.

The Polish snowboarder took last year off after having a child and is already in stunning form. She sits third in the overall standings with three podiums this season. Krol-Walas is riding with a newfound joy.

“After a year-long break I enjoy snowboarding even more. It was a bit of a challenge but not because I forgot how to snowboard, taking care of a baby and training together was hard.”

Krol-Walas has finished second three times this season and is eager to top the podium. She knows the keys to get over the hump.

“I need to make less mistakes in the big final and maybe have a bit more luck at the end,” Krol-Walas said.

The men’s side is also full of potential winners. The men’s standings are wide open with the top five all within 100 points of each other in the overall standings. There have been five winners in six races this season.

Tim Mastnak (SLO) is one of those winners and sits atop the overall standings. It’s an unexpected place for the veteran.

“Before the season, I really didn’t think this was possible but with my progress in slalom, it has become achievable. The idea of the overall globe is definitely appealing, not necessarily a goal but a dream. I’m not stressing about it as the season is still long. However, it feels great to wear the orange bib for the first time in my career,” Mastnak said.

Mastnak’s victory in Yanqing and second-place in Carezza are a huge reason why he sits on top but there is more to his early success.

“It’s hard to pinpoint just one thing because in sports, many factors have to align. Good training in the fall has certainly helped and I also like the start of the season on Chinese snow. An important factor has also been the equipment I’m using this year,” Mastnak said. “The feeling is great! It means that I did something right during the summer and fall, and now everyone is chasing me.”

Mastnak will have to fend off defending overall champion Benjamin Karl (AUT) and the loaded Italian team. Four Italian men sit in the top ten of the overall standings and will be gunning for Mastnak on Saturday.

The racing officially begins with qualifying stages on the morning of Saturday December 21. The 16 fastest men and 16 fastest women will advance to the knockout finals and compete head-to-head for the podium later that day at 14:00 (CET) local time. After the race the athletes and teams will celebrate at a large side event with festivities and well-known artists scheduled to perform.

FACTS & FIGURES

2nd edition of Snowboard Alpine World Cup race in Davos
2 for 2: Swiss rider Julie Zogg (SUI) made both PSL podiums thus far this season.
3: second-place finishes in 2024 for Aleksandra Krol-Walas (POL)
5: Male racers to win a race this season

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Snowboard Alpine tackles the Swiss challenge of Davos before holiday break

Can the Swiss star take home glory?

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