The two winners of the first World Cup parallel giant slalom (PGS) of the season, which took place in Carezza, Italy on Thursday (15 December), have very different podium experiences on the tour. Austrian legend Andreas Prommegger won his 22nd World Cup title on the men’s tour, while Netherlands’ Michele Dekker claimed a first ever career win in the women’s edition.
Dekker couldn’t believe she’d won, holding her head in her hands, no doubt overwhelmed not only with the win but the impressive route she’d taken to the top step. The 26-year-old squeaked past four-time overall title holder Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER) by just 0.01s in the last 16. A win over top seed and another favourite for the overall title, Tsubaki Miki (JPN) in the quarter-final was followed by a triumph over last weekend’s team winner in Winterberg, Germany, Ladina Jenny (SUI). Aleksandra Krol (POL), who was looking to add to her one tour win, was the final opponent, losing out to a jubilant Dekker by a quarter of a second.
“It feels amazing,” Dekker told FIS. “This is my first win and normally I’m always better in slalom but I’m getting there in GS so I’m super stoked on this first win here in Carezza. I love this slope, the steepness going into flats, the course is amazing.”
The women’s competition was drama-filled throughout with the top seeds falling early, leaving the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th seed riders, Dekker, Gloria Kotnik (SLO), Krol and Jenny, respectively, to challenge for the podium positions.
Beijing 2022 Olympic bronze medallist Kotnik will have to wait for a first top-three place in the World Cup. The 33-year-old claimed a frustrating fourth, fourth place in her 140 starts, but her form is good so could Saturday’s PGS at Cortina d’Ampezzo be the breakthrough?
The early overall standings after just two individual races in the 2022/23 season sees Zogg top of the pile with 120 points. Last weekend’s winner – alongside boyfriend Alexander Payer (AUT) – Sabine Schoeffmann (AUT) is second (107) with Dekker third (100).
Hofmeister, who is struggling with a back injury, sits well down the table in 13th with 48 points, after 10th and 12th finishes so far. But the nature of the early races reveal the field is wide open, so the PGS defending champion may look to score what points she can on Saturday before taking the opportunity of additional treatment during the nearly three-week break for all athletes following Cortina.
Daniela Ulbing (SUI), another contender for titles this season, is well placed in fifth overall, just behind Krol, the rider who knocked out the three-seed in the quarter-final in today’s event.
