What changed after the World Cup title

A World Championship title for South Tyrol in snowboarding – this was last achieved by Roland Filehner before Ochner and March, who secured the title in the parallel slalom in 2015. 8 years in which it was exclusively for Firiegeller to show strong nerves at major events. Well – in Bakuriani in Georgia, Ochner and March dispelled the prejudice that “only” Fiwickeler is fast enough for precious metal.

Because yes – strong nerves were more than just required on February 22nd. In adverse conditions with hurricane-force wind, fog and snowfall, all 24 participating couples were extremely challenged. Aaron March, who had to lead in each case, and Nadya Ochner, who as the second driver was not allowed to show any weaknesses, were in a class of their own. From the moment we won the quarter-finals against favorites Fabian Obmann/Daniela Ulbing (Austria), it was clear that anything would be possible. In the semi-final against teammates Maurizio Bormolini/Lucia Dalmasso, self-confidence was already the decisive factor (March first wore down Bormolini, then Dalmasso fell) to reach the final. And there they topped it all off: First, March outclassed Andreas Prommegger by 2 seconds, Ochner managed the lead over Sabine Schöffmann perfectly and prevailed in the end by 0,74 seconds - World Championship gold was perfect!

Nadia Ochner When you talk to Nadya Ochner about World Cup gold, she still gets goosebumps: “It was extremely emotional after my difficult time with the long-term ankle injury, because of which I was only able to prepare for the season very late. Gold came out of nowhere, it was a relief after all the torment." Because Ochner broke her right ankle while mountain biking in the spring of 2022 and the surgical plate caused problems and had to have another operation, she didn't climb until January 2023 into the World Cup – virtually without any fitness or snow training.

Very little has changed for the 30-year-old from Burgstall since she won the World Cup: “We were often invited and the recognition from people is great. And you enjoy that,” admits Ochner. And: “We received an Audi from the FISI association, which we now share. Aaron drives around with it for 3 months, I drive it for 3 months. I really appreciate that,” Ochner says modestly.

Nadya Ochner is about to complete her law studies.

World Cup gold is stored in the trophy cabinet, the serious foot injury is finally a thing of the past - under these conditions, Ochner is now entering her 14th World Cup season. “I was able to train optimally this year and was able to catch up on a lot of things during Kondi training that was not possible in the summer and fall of 2022.” And: Ochner is about to complete her law degree. “I took all the exams, the last one on November 7th on the Code of Criminal Procedure. Now the doctoral thesis is still missing. It's quite possible that I'll do it about sports law, and here about anti-doping laws. They are extremely harsh in Italy because they are also prosecuted. I’m also interested in the contractual law between athletes and sponsors.”

Ochner doesn’t really want to classify her goals for the new season: “That’s difficult. Last year it was a total up and down because of my injury. I want to bring consistency back, regardless of the conditions. My goal is to consistently finish in the top 8, whether in the giant slalom or the slalom.”

And then there is the memory of a very special spring and summer of 2023. “I was very far away from snowboarding, mentally and spatially I was in a completely different world. I couldn't properly process what had happened for a long time and then did so during a three-week holiday in Cyprus, where I was completely alone. In the fall I was still in Colombia, on a road trip with other adventurers, none of whom I knew. It was sensational.”

Aaron March The 37-year-old, who along with Roland Fiwickeler is the biggest figurehead of South Tyrolean board sport, also fulfilled his penultimate career dream with World Cup gold. He is the overall World Cup winner (2021), he also has 2 small balls, and like Firiegeller, an Olympic medal is the only thing he is still missing from his trophy collection. With fourth place in the parallel slalom in Sochi in 4, March was very close, but that is now a thing of the past.

World Cup gold in the team event with Nadya Ochner was not the only highlight for the owner of a fitness studio in Siusi in 2023 - he experienced a much bigger one on July 15th when he met his long-time partner Andrea and mother of their daughter Alina ( she is 7) led to the altar. And laughs: “Initially we wanted to keep it very small. But then the list of those invited kept growing, and in the end there were 80 of us. “An unforgettably beautiful day,” says March, looking back.

Aaron March got married this summer.

Especially since March is already able to correctly assess his life as an athlete and private person: “Even as a world champion, life is always the same. And now everything starts again from scratch anyway.” Especially since last season wasn’t necessarily great – despite a podium finish in the parallel giant slalom in Cortina d’Ampezzo in third place. “I got off to a good start to the season, but then it was rather mixed. Thank God the world title with Nadya compensated me for all the disappointments beforehand.”

March's big goal for this year is to show a consistently high level, i.e. to be involved in the decision for the day's victory in all races. “In slalom I find it easier intuitively, in giant slalom I have to work much harder on myself. At this level, nothing is off the cuff. Anyone who makes mistakes has no chance.”

Nadia Ochner Date and place of birth: March 14, 1993 in Merano Place of residence: Burgstall Sports group: Police

Aaron March Date and place of birth: May 14, 1986 in Brixen Place of residence: Fiè allo Sciliar Sports group: Army

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What changed after the World Cup title

February 22, 2023 changed her sporting life. No wonder: Since that Wednesday, Nadya Ochner and Aaron March have been able to call themselves world champions in the mixed team event. Find out what has happened since then here.

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