The PGS crystal globes are up for grabs in Krynica

Feb 28, 2025·Snowboard Alpine

The 2024-25 VISA FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup is drawing near its end. There are just three individual races left (2 PGS and 1 PSL). The penultimate weekend takes place March 1-2 in Krynica, Poland. The world’s best will compete in the last two PGS races this weekend.

The PGS crystal globes will be handed out after the big finals on Sunday. All eyes will be on who takes the globes this weekend.

It is a tight race on the men’s side. Maurizio Bormolini (ITA) is so close to capturing the crown with a 97-point lead over Radoslav Yankov (BUL) headed into the weekend. Andreas Prommegger (AUT) is 179 points behind the Italian in third and could steal it with two top finishes.

Bormolini is eager to capture his first career crystal globe. Yet it was not something he allowed himself to dream of before the season started.

“I was confident in a good performance at the begining of the season but I did not imagine this good,” Bormolini said. “If I win the globe, it will mean a lot for me, because I worked hard the last three seasons to become a competitive snowboarder, especially in this disipline.”

The Italian came second in one of the PGS races in Krynica last season. Prommegger took the top of the podium in one of those races and is gunning for a surprise crystal globe this weekend.

“I will try to keep decisions for crystal globes exciting until the end,” Prommegger said.

The 44-year-old veteran is not done competing with the best and is not on cruise control as he closes out yet another World Cup season.

“Being on top for such a long time means a lot for me because it’s a sign that many things fit together. I am thankful that I am able to be still competitive in my advanced sportsman age,”– Prommegger added.

Yankov could spoil both of their parties with a victory on the weekend. The Bulgarain has put together a career season even if he goes home without the globe.

“This season is one of my best seasons. Not just because of the 3 podiums for now but in so many races, I managed to qualify for finals in every race except one. So it has been really consistent riding for me and of course the rankings show that,”– Yankov said.

Bormolini had held the yellow bib for awhile and will have all the pressure on him to deliver for his Italian brethren.

Bormolini celebrates making the podium in Val St. Come. © Miha Matavz/FIS

On the women’s side it was Tsubaki Miki (JPN) who possessed the yellow bib for much of the season. Now she has a familiar foe breathing down her neck in the chase for the PGS crystal globe.

Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER) is the defending champion and is riding a trademark hot streak winning four of the last five PGS races. Miki picked up one sandwiched between the German’s return to form.

Despite eight PGS podiums this season, Miki’s lead fell to just 46 with two PGS races to go. The Japanese star is not worried about the shrinking lead. She wants her first globe and more.

“Whether I have a big lead or a narrow one, what I will do is the same. I will do my best and aim to win. I feel it is very valuable as proof that my level is improving. I would be very happy if I could win all the globes in the year I win my first globe,”– Miki said.

Hofmeister knows a thing or two about sweeping the globes as she did last season. The fact that she even has a chance to repeat this season is astounding after she failed to podium in the first eight races of the season.

"At the beginning of the season, things didn’t go the way I had hoped. I struggled to find my rhythm and could not call up my full potential. But I know what I am capable of and never stopped believing in my abilities. I knew I had to stay patient and keep working. To now be back in the fight for the crystal globes is incredibly rewarding. I’m proud of how I turned things around, and I’ll give everything to finish this season strong,”– Hofmeister said.

Ramona Theresia Hofmeister is in the hunt for the PGS globe. © Miha Matavz/FIS

The German is not happy with her crowded trophy case. She has plenty room for more.

“Winning trophies does not get less exciting over time. Every globe is special, and each one tells a different story. After the rocky start into the season, lifting the trophy this year would be one of the most meaningful. With such fierce competition in the field, it will be a tough final stage of the season and coming out on top would be an amazing victory,"– Hofmeister said.

Fellow veteran Sabine Payer (AUT) has an outside shot to play spoiler. The Austrian is 116 points behind first and could use a sweep to take the globe. She is back after dealing with some sickness and has her full energy for the final push.

“The goal is the same as in the beginning of the season, catch a spot on every podium,” Payer said.

RACE SCHEDULE

Catch the action this weekend from Poland. There will be a public bib draw on Friday at the gondola station at 18:00 local time. The race will then begin with qualifying on Saturday morning at 9:00 local and the finals racing at 13:00 local. The riders will do it all again on Sunday with qualifying at 9:00 local time and finals at 13:00 (CET).

WHERE TO WATCH

Facts & Figures

3 of 7: World Cup victories for Maurizio Bormolini in PGS
1995: First World Cup start for Andreas Prommegger
24: career World Cup victories for Prommegger
5 of 6: previous World Cup races this season won by Ramona Theresia Hofmeister
5: career PGS crystal globes for Hofmeister