Roland Fischnaller made a big impression in Poland. © ANSA / Grzegorz Momot

Victory of the day: Fischnaller ages like a fine wine

At the parallel giant slalom in Krynica (Poland), the experienced skier showed his class and secured his first World Cup victory in two years. Maurizio Bormolini also had a big reason to celebrate.

March 01, 2025

From: do

It's unbelievable: At 44, most professional athletes are already enjoying their retirement - but not Roland Fischnaller. The veteran showed all of his experience on Saturday in the parallel giant slalom in Krynica (Poland) and took the day's victory. It was his first World Cup victory this season, the first in around two years and the 23rd overall.

In the finish line interview, the likeable top athlete was very satisfied with his result: "I feel very good. I have steadily improved and am now full of self-confidence. On Friday my son called me and said that I would get a cake if I won. I wanted that cake," the South Tyrolean grinned into the camera.

Maurizio Bormolini finished third. © ANSA / Grzegorz Momot

In the semifinals, as so often this season, there were three athletes who race under the Italian flag. Fischnaller met his teammate Maurizio Bormolini, who made a few mistakes in his run and ultimately finished 0,10 seconds behind the South Tyrolean. In the second semifinal, Edwin Coratti from Vinschgau lost by a very narrow margin of 0,01 seconds to the Korean Sangho Lee - the hoped-for South Tyrolean final in Poland did not materialize.

Bormolini grabs the ball

There, Fischnaller once again showed his class on the red course, driving a calm, composed run to the finish and taking 0,35 seconds off Lee. In the small final, Bormolini prevailed ahead of Coratti (+0,49), who secured the crystal globe in the parallel giant slalom with this result.

Overall, it was another strong result for the Azzurri. In addition to Fischnaller's victory, Bormolini's third place and Coratti's fourth place, Mirko Felicetti (5th place) and Daniele Bagozza (8th place) from Val Gardena also reached the quarter-finals. Aaron March finished 14th and Gabriel Messner 24th.

Hofmeister in top form

Ramona Theresia Hofmeister triumphed again in the women's competition. The German defeated the Dutchwoman Michelle Dekker in the final after she had fallen. Julie Zogg from Switzerland came third and defeated the Azzurra Lucia Dalmasso in the small final.