Roland Fischnaller was overjoyed. © APA / WOLFGANG JANNACH

Fischnaller wins the giant duel – and the race

Roland Fischnaller's phenomenal season continued on Friday at Simonhöhe (Austria): For the third time this winter, the 45-year-old left everyone in his dust. Even overall World Cup leader Aaron March couldn't keep his unleashed teammate in check.

23 January 2026

From: leo

Victory in Carezza, victory in Scuol, and victory on the Simonhöhe. Roland Fischnaller once again demonstrated his top form on Friday, proving that the disappointing Bansko races last weekend were just a fluke. The skier from Villnöss prevailed in Carinthia ahead of local favorite Fabian Obmann and March.

The South Tyrolean athletes made their mark early in the morning's qualifying rounds. With March (2nd), Fischnaller (3rd), Tommy Rabanser (8th), and Edwin Coratti (9th), four local athletes secured their tickets to the finals. Jasmin Coratti also achieved the same feat in the women's competition, posting the eighth fastest time in qualifying.

A thrilling semi-final

Rabanser had particular reason to celebrate, as his victory against Coratti propelled him to the quarterfinals for the first time at the tender age of 18. He ultimately finished in eighth place. The battle for victory culminated in a clash of titans in the semifinals between Fischnaller and March. South Tyrol's star snowboarders delivered a thrilling race, which the 45-year-old ultimately won. As so often before, Fischnaller made the difference in the final gates.

The podium with Fabian Obmann, Roland Fischnaller and Aaron March. © APA / WOLFGANG JANNACH

He left nothing to chance in the final against Obmann. After a cautious start, the three-time season winner steadily increased his pace and crossed the finish line four-tenths of a second ahead. March had already won the consolation final against the fastest qualifier, Sangho Lee from South Korea – despite racing on the slightly slower, purple track. This was March's sixth podium finish of the season.

Jasmin Coratti advanced past the round of 16, but was then defeated by Czech Ester Ledecka. The 30-year-old, who stood on the podium in the Super-G in Tarvisio last Sunday, was in a class of her own in her first snowboard race of the season. She relegated Dutchwoman Michelle Dekker and her compatriot Zuzana Maderova to second and third place, respectively. Coratti finished eighth.