SBX competition season kicked-off in Pitztal
Nov 29, 2019·Snowboard Cross
Unfortunately, the first of two planned race days in Pitztal (AUT) had to be cancelled on Wednesday, Nov 27, since weather conditions did not allow to have a safe race that day. Things looked much better the next day, when an action-packed European Cup was hold with many international athletes fighting for the podium spots. As last year, also the Austrian national championship titles have been awarded at Thursday’s competition.
For the Austrian championship title on the men’s side, it was a fight between the Haemmerle brothers, of which Luca, the younger one, had won the title last year. This year, however, Alessandro Haemmerle, also SBX crystal globe winner of last season, was able to outrun his brother, claiming the top spot on the podium and his first ever national championship title.
Alessandro Hammerle also managed to win the overall European Cup race ahead of Italy’s Lorenzo Sommariva and Germany’s Martin Noerl, proving that he is planning to continue this race season just where he had left off in March – being in fantastic shape and hungry for more wins.
“Having training, qualis and four heats at the finals, it has been a long, but also very good day for me. I managed to keep the focus, which was crucial for winning all four runs through the finals. Of course, it is amazing to start the season with a win. It was also quite fun to match my brother Luca for the national championship title”, Alessandro Haemmerle said after the race.
23-year-old Katharina Neussner was able to defend her title and became also this year Austrian national champion, missing the overall EC podium by only one spot when coming in fourth in the final heat. Sofia Belingheri (ITA) was the fastest lady that day ahead of Sophie Hediger from Switzerland and Solitude World Snowboard Championship silver medalist Charlotte Bankes (GBR) coming in third.
“I already managed to qualify as fifth, which gave me a good chance to be in the top field and I was able to ride good final heats. I had a successfull preparation training, which for once I went through without any injuries, so that for sure helped”, Neussner comments.
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