Young stars take the day as Zamfirov stuns and Miki triumphs
Mar 22, 2025·Snowboard Alpine)
The Engadin 2025 FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships turned its focus to parallel slalom in snowboard alpine on Saturday. The skies were cloudy but the young stars of the sport shined bright. Tsubaki Miki (JPN) avenged her big final loss from the PGS race on Thursday to win her second world championship title. On the men’s side junior world champion Tervel Zamfirov (BUL) shocked the world on his way to his first senior-level victory and world championship title.
Zamfirov pulls off the massive upset
In a result no one saw coming, Tervel Zamfirov marched through the field to the top of the podium to claim the 2025 PSL world championship. The 20-year-old had never reached a podium on a senior level let alone a victory. His first comes in the form of one of the sport’s highest prizes.
The young Bulgarian had never finished better than fourth on the World Cup circuit. This was his first world championship, finishing 12th in the PGS earlier this week. He already took home gold in the PGS and PSL of the FIS Junior Snowboard World Championships earlier this month.
He also took gold in the mixed team event at the junior world championships alongside his sister Malena. The two will team up again for the mixed team event on Sunday. An incredible month for the rising star.
It was a tough fight in the big final as Zamfirov took down the 2025 PSL crystal globe winner Arvid Auner by 0.4 seconds. Auner was in strong form all day but could not close out the Bulgarian. Auner wins his second-straight silver PSL world championships medal.
Rounding out the podium was Aaron March (ITA) who won the small final by 0.04 seconds in a photo finish. It is the second career world championship for March who won the 2023 mixed team event with Nadya Ochner (ITA).
Andreas Prommegger (AUT) settled for fourth. He was the defending world champion in the PSL event. Cody Winters (USA) finished fifth for his best career world championship result. Winters sent snowboard legend Benjamin Karl (AUT) packing in the first round. Karl will have one more gold medal chance with the mixed team event.
Elsewhere on the men’s side, Maurizio Bormolini (ITA) had a slight mistake near the final gates and was knocked out in round one. Daniele Bagozza (ITA) and Alexander Payer (AUT) were disqualified in qualification. Dario Caviezel (SUI) suffered a DNF in the first round.
Miki gets Ledecka back
On the women’s side it was a rematch of the big final from the PGS world championship bout on Thursday. The mighty Ester Ledecka (CZE) carved her path to the big final once again against the young Tsubaki Miki (JPN) who dominated the world cup season.
In the PGS Ledecka sped to the win but the script was flipped Saturday. Ledecka suffered an early fall in the big final allowing Miki to seemingly cruise to the win. However, Miki had a nervy stumble near the end allowing Ledecka to charge back but it was too little too late as Miki claimed the win.
It is the second world championship gold for Miki after she won the PGS in 2023. She adds to her three crystal globes and four victories this season in the World Cup as her career season ends on a high note. The 21-year-old has plenty time to add to her crowded trophy case.
Ledecka’s silver medal is her fifth FIS snowboard world championship medal. She also won the downhill bronze from the Alpine skiing world championships this season. It was a great performance from the Olympic champion as Ledecka messed up a tun during her first qualifying run only to bounce back for a fast time in her second. Ledecka will not compete in the mixed team event on Sunday.
Michelle Dekker (NED) captured her first career world championship medal in her 12th start. The Dutch snowboarder won the small final over Aleksandra Krol-Walas (POL) in a photo finish. Krol-Walas knocked out Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER) in the first round.
Hofmeister had qualified with the second fastest time but faced a tough draw. It will be a world championship to forget for the German after an incredible strong finish to the World Cup season.
Defending PSL world champion Julie Zogg (SUI) finished fifth. Ladina Caviezel (SUI) did not qualify for the final rounds. She was second at the last PSL world championships. Sabine Payer (AUT) was shocked in the first round by Zuzana Maderova (CZE). Payer was third at the previous PSL championships.
The snowboard alpine action at the 2025 FIS Snowboard World Championships concludes with the mixed team parallel slalom event on Sunday. Qualifications begin with 35 teams at 11:45 CET and the finals commence at 13:30 CET.
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