World Cup leaders Moioli and Vaultier shine at Feldberg

Michela Moioli (ITA) and Pierre Vaultier (FRA) have triumphed in the second snowboard cross race of the double World Cup event staged at Feldberg, Germany today which also was the final form test for the riders before heading east to compete in the 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

And as it was the ultimate event prior to the big show in South Korea next month, Mother Nature finally did mind her Ps and Qs offering a blue bird sky and superb snow conditions after the last days had seen cloudy, foggy conditions and a lot of fresh snow.

In addition, the stances were packed again like yesterday with the crowd cheering for their local favourites not for nothing as two Germans had made it to the finals.

In the end, Germany's Paul Berg and Martin Noerl finished third and fourth in a thrilling head to head battle from top to bottom behind of Pierre Vaultier and Michele Godino (ITA) with the French racer adding another chapter to his palmares by bringing home his career's 22nd.

The reigning World Champion, who came in as runner-up yesterday, has now not only placed in the top-3 in five of all six World Cup events staged on the 675 metres long course on Seebuck so far but also has celebrated a win in the Black Forrest in every year since 2016.

“Today was a very good day for me. Unlike yesterday, where I still got second, I was feeling good the whole day. And that gives me a confidence boost, not especially the win. It's more the way I rode today. Today, my riding was much better,” Vaultier said.

However, it was a very close decision against Godino who had been disqualified yesterday and therefore still had a score to settle with the Feldberg World Cup weekend.

“That was my redemption, I was really angry today. I'm super happy about the first podium of my career. It's a really important result for me as it was the last race prior the Olympics. I'm ready for the Olympics, and I hope for another podium there.”

Definitely a podium thread for PyeongChang 2018 is Godino's teammate Michela Moioli who kept the momentum from her yesterday's triumph winning out over French trio Charlotte Bankes, Chloe Trespeuch and Nelly Moenne Loccoz in the big final of the ladies' competition.

By snatching her career's ninth, the 22-year-old from Bergamo therefore not only extended her World Cup lead but also her incredible streak of seven consecutive podium finishes of which four out of the last six races have been wins.

“Today, the final was very difficult. I was up against three strong girls from France, it was super cool but a tough fight. I tried to give my best right from the start. We were super close, so I'm super happy about another win.

It's a big confidence boost for sure but the Olympics are a totally different race. We will see what happens,” she explained.

The SBX World Cup tour will now take a break and continue after the Olympic Winter Games in La Molina, Spain from 2 to 3 March 2018.

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