The two Parallel World Cup leaders Nicolien Sauerbreij (NED) and Benjamin Karl (AUT) have underlined their impressive form of this season by winning the seventh parallel giant slalom of the 2010 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup. The reigning Olympic champion secured her second win of this winter in Valmalenco by relegating French Nathalie Desmares with a tiny lead of only 0.07 seconds to second. In the Austrian battle for third, Doris Guenther crossed the finish line ahead of Claudia Riegler thus keeping her chance of grabbing the World Cup title. With only one race to go at the World Cup finals in La Molina (ESP), Guenther (4,310) is still within reach of Sauerbreij (4,800).
On the men's side of things, Benjamin Karl already clinched the Parallel and Overall World Cup title due to today's victory (6,600). The Olympic runner-up defeated Slovenia's Rok Flander in the final of the second to last parallel race of this winter. Jasey Jay Anderson (CAN) rounded out the podium as third. Simon Schoch from Switzerland came in fourth.
At his season's third World Cup win, Karl indeed took advantage of a riding mistake of his rival in the final: "Rok (Flander) was super fast, maybe the best rider out there today. I knew I had to give everything but also had the luck on my side - this time." The 24-years-old Austrian thus drove at his own race decisive mistakes done in the last three finals (including the Olympics).
Rok Flander stated: "I wanted too much and went too straight towards one gate. Unfortunately I found out in the second run that I shouldn't have risked that much. But it's good to be on the podium again and thus make this season wrap up in a propitiate way."
Second coup for Karl after 2008
In contrary, the season is and was perfect for Karl. However, the final against Flander wasn't the main act on his way to bringing home his second small and big Crystal Globe after 2008. The quarter final against his friend and team mate Andreas Prommegger was the decisive match up as he was the only one being able to contest him for the parallel title.
According to this, the newly minted title holder was all smiles after his gala display in which he also eliminated Canada's Michael Lambert (eighth finals) and Olympic champion Jasey Jay Anderson (semi finals): "It's such a great day, just unbelievable. I have both Globes. I'm so stoked," Karl said.
Decision adjourned in the ladies' race for the World Cup titles
In contrary, the ladies have to wait until the World Cup finals in order to find out who will take home the Parallel and the Overall World Cup title. In the race discipline, Nicolien Sauerbreij now has extended her former 90 points lead in a comfortable one of 490 points over Doris Guenther. However, in the battle for the Overall title, Maelle Ricker (CAN) also plays a major role sitting in second only 40 points behind (4,760).
So, Sauerbreij was right by stating: "It's all up in the air. So many things can happen in the last race. La Molina will bring the showdown." Today's winner thus will use the next days to rest a bit as she got more and more exhausted throughout the day. "I'm so tired. I had only one day to relax after the Olympics. I definitely noticed that today," the 2010 Vancouver Gold medallist said.
By a close shave, Nathalie Desmares almost passed the 30-years-old right in front of the finish line. But in the end, the French still has to wait for her first World Cup win and had to settle for her sixth podium result in 13 years of World Cup racing. "The work of the last years paid off this season. It was important for me to see that it's worth it. And it was as I placed third in Stoneham and second today. Now I can go on," the 37-years-old commented not disappointed at all.
The LG Snowboard FIS World Cup continues tomorrow with a halfpipe comp in Valmalenco.
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