Italy centre stage as Carezza and Cortina host first PGS events of season

The overall winner in the men’s competition in 2021/22, Sangho Leee (KOR) also had a rude awakening in his first individual race of the season, making an error in round 1/8 that allowed Zogg’s compatriot, Dario Caviezel, to progress.

The 27-year-old, the first South Korean to claim the overall big globe and an Olympic silver medallist in PGS in 2018, won the title with consistent performances last season so will be hoping to put that blip right in Italy, especially as he placed second in Cortina in both 2019 and 2021.

Baumeister, meanwhile, won the Carezza edition last time out with Edwin Coratti placing third on home snow. It was Coratti that Baumeister kept off the podium last weekend when the two went head-to-head in the small final, so a tasty match up could feature once again.

Caviezel was champion in Cortina last year, with snowboard legend and home crowd favourite Roland Fischnaller, placing third. With Olympic champion Benjamin Karl (AUT) also in the mix, this Italy double bill is not to be missed.

All athletes will be keen to hone their skills on the same slopes that will host the Milano-Cortina Olympic Winter Games in 2026, and those that slipped up last weekend will want to get back on track quickly, happy with the fast turnaround to put things right. Conversely, those that started well will be looking to build on their good starts.

“With this win, it’s easier to go to the next races in Corezza,” Schoeffmann told FIS after winning the Winterberg race. “It’s a difficult hill for me but for sure one of the most beautiful views in the world and so I can’t wait to be back in Corezza.”

The first run of the PGS at Carezza starts at 1.15pm (CET) on Thursday, with night races starting at 6pm (CET) in Cortina on Saturday.

The next World Cup takes places in Bad Gastein, Austria with team and individual PSL races, visiting three more locations before a break for the World Championships in Bakuriani, Georgia from 19 Feb – 5 March.