All you need to know about the 2020/21 FIS World Cup tours

cOOP crOSS-cOunTry wOrlD cuP 2020/21

by Doris kallen

cOMMiTMEnT hElPS OvErcOME challEngES

An exceptional task awaited the FIS Cross-Country family after the abrupt season end in March 2020. With uncertain and frequently changing circumstances due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, the FIS Cross-Country team was in constant exchange with organisers and teams to ensure racing at World Cup level could take place. Step by step, regulations were established that fulfilled the main criteria of keeping the field of play safe. Thanks to the great flexibility and commitment of all participants, the FIS Cross-Country World Cup season could be held. Ten events of the originally planned 13 and a total number of 24 competitions per gender took place in the World Cup. Additionally, a complete programme of spectacular Nordic World Ski Championships was carried out in Oberstdorf (GER).

SPEcial ThiS SEaSOn

The FIS Cross-Country family used the momentum to reflect and adapt. From the athletes’ perspective, not only were their physical aspects challenged, their mental resolve was also tested. Teams were required to follow specific health protocols and adapt their planning accordingly. The process of getting adapted to the new protocols took time for some teams. Finally, the key to the successful World Cup season lay in the trust and commitment from and to everyone involved.

World Cup organisers needed to rethink their processes and implement them into their originally planned event programme. Many regulations and aspects were simplified and will be kept in the World Cup organisers’ manuals in the future.

Despite many positive learnings, one major consequence of the health concepts in place was that no spectators were allowed to attend events.

biggEST winnErS

On the women’s side, Jessie Diggins (USA) steadily grew into the leading position in the first period of the World Cup and claimed the yellow bib after her victory at the Tour de Ski. Diggins not only wrote United States Cross-Country history, but also Tour de Ski history as the first non-European winner. Diggins kept her lead and scored another remarkable victory in Falun’s 10 km free technique, beating Therese Johaug (NOR), the current distance expert par excellence. Diggins also claimed the overall and Distance World Cup title of the season.

Alexander Bolshunov (RUS) was the athlete to beat in the men’s competition. The 24-year-old became the benchmark in the distance competitions and defended his yellow bib from the second World Cup event in Davos (SUI) all the way through the season until the finals in Engadin (SUI). With his victories in the overall and distance World Cup, as well as his third place in the Sprint World Cup, Bolshunov led a very successful Russian team through the season.

bEST STOrylinE

The strong athletes of the Russian team raced to an impressive final standing of six athletes in the top-10 of the men’s overall, as well as distance World Cup standing. Yulia Stupak and Tatiana Sorina (who returned from maternity leave) took over the roles as pacemakers, together with Natalia Nepryaeva, and challenged their competitors throughout the season.

Alexander Bolshunov and Federico Pellegrino put the prestigious “davos sleigh” in good use after the ceremony teamwork makes dream work for the United States Cross-Country team during the 2020/21 seaso

World Cup globe winners 2021

linn Svahn setting the pace on her way to the rookie of the Year title

Besides the success of Jessie Diggins, the United States team performed very well. Rosie Brennan claimed her maiden World Cup victory in Davos at the sprint free technique and doubled up one day later with a victory in the 10 km free technique, when she was joined on the podium by rookie Hailey Swirbul, claiming her maiden podium.

Another remarkable performance was delivered by Great Britain, with Andrew Musgrave starting his season with a sixth ranking in Ruka (FIN) and Andrew Young doubling up with two podium spots in Davos and Dresden (GER).

Switzerland also accomplished historic results. Nadine Fähndrich claimed her maiden victory at the Dresden sprint and repeated the victory one day later with Laurien van der Graaff, giving Switzerland its first victory in a team sprint. Seven weeks later in Ulricehamn (SWE), Roman Furger and Jovian Hediger added another second place and Fähndrich and van der Graaff another third place.

bEST nEwcOMErS

A new generation of Cross-Country athletes conquered the World Cup. With outstanding performances, young athletes managed to challenge the top stars and found their spots among the world’s Cross-Country elite.

The most successful was Linn Svahn (SWE) who had her breakthrough in the previous season as she made clear that her strength also lies in distance competitions. With six victories, including two in the 10 km C Mst, Svahn took the title of Rookie of the Year, which recognises the most successful U23 athletes.

On the men’s side, the title was earned by Hugo Lapalus (FRA). With consistent results in the distance races, the 22-year-old claimed the title in addition to his Junior World Ski Championships title in the 15 km free technique.

retirements

WOMEN Susanna Saapunki (FIN) Sadie Maubet-Bjornsen (USA) Sophie Caldwell-Hamilton (USA) Marie Eide (NOR) Anja Lozza (SUI) Anna Zherebyateva (RUS) Anouk Faivre Picon (FRA) Hanna Falk (SWE) Ilaria Debertolis (ITA) Laura Mononen (FIN) MEN Simi Hamilton (USA) Martin Johnsrud Sundby (NOR) Livio Bieler (SUI) Sebastian Eisenlauer (GER) Viktor Thorn (SWE) Stefan Zelger (ITA) Valentin Mättig (GER) Juho Mikkonen (FIN)

PROUD SPONSOR OF FIS CROSS-COUNTRY WORLD CUP

viESSMann FiS Ski JuMPing wOrlD cuP 2020/21

by horst nilgen

a SuPEr SEaSOn OF Ski JuMPing

When the FSI ski jumping season started in November 2020, no one knew how or if the planned events would even work. The big unknown was Covid-19 and the problems associated with it, especially for athletes and officials travelling to and from various countries.

It was a mammoth task, then, for the new FIS men’s Ski Jumping Race Director Sandro Pertile, the Italian who had taken over responsibility from Walter Hofer during a challenging and difficult time.

After a short time, it was clear the revised programme would work. With enormously elaborate preparation, strict hygiene concepts, associated discipline for athletes, attendants and officials, coupled with the decision not to have spectators on site, it was clear FIS Ski Jumping World Cup events were feasible. The winter became a success story.

lEaDing ThE way

Sandro Pertile did a great job taking over as men’s Race Director and was instrumental in ensuring the winter schedule went ahead with only minimal interruptions.

ThE big winnErS

The 20-year-old Nika Kriznar (SLO) won the overall women’s FIS World Cup for the first time after an extremely exciting winter.

The tension was high until the last jump, and Kriznar was only nine points ahead of second-placed Sara Takanashi (JAP) and 11 ahead of Sara Marita Kramer (AUT) at the

end. In the Nations Cup, the Austrians again led the way. Kramer, in particular, added points to the Austrians’ Nations Cup account.

Halvor Egner Granerud (NOR) enjoyed an impressive season. Granerud, 24, had never been on a World Cup podium before the winter of 2020/2021, so nobody had the man from Asker Skiklubb on their list of favourites.

Last winter, however, Granerud registered 11 FIS World Cup event victories and two second-place finishes. Granerud had to fight many injuries in the past, but he continually put in personal best performances in racking up multiple victories this past season.

Granerud won the FIS World Cup with 1572 points, ahead of Markus Eisenbichler (GER) on 1190 points and Kamil Stoch (POL) on 955.

Norway won the coveted Nations Cup as the best men’s team. Coached by Alexander Stöckl, the Norwegian team (Granerud, Robert Johansson and Marius Lindvik) beat Poland and Germany.

In the Ski Flying World Cup, which consisted of three competitions in Planica (SLO), due to the cancellation of the Raw Air event in Norway, Karl Geiger (GER) won by a razor-thin margin, ahead of Ryoyo Kobayashi (JAP). Geiger had two victories and Kobayashi had one in what was an exciting finish.

Halvor egner Granerud (nor)

karl Geiger (Ger)

kamil Stoch (Pol)

bEST STOriES

With four individual victories in the four competitions of the Russian Blue Bird Tour in Nizhny Tagil and Chaikovsky, 19-year-old Sara Marita Kramer (AUT) was outstanding. Kramer also helped the Austrian team to victory number five in Russia in the last competition of the season.

Using all his skill and experience, Kamil Stoch (POL) managed to win the 69th Four-HillsTournament in Bischofshofen (AUT). The three-time Olympic champion has a terrific record in the event, having previously won in 2016/2017 and 2017/2018.

Sara Marita kramer (AUt)

nika kriznar (Slo)

retirements

WOMEN Ramona Straub (GER) Manuela Malsiner (ITA) Sarah Hendrickson (USA) Lucile Morat (FRA) MEN Jernej Damjan (SLO) Rok Justin (SLO) Paul Brasme (FRA)

viESSMann FiS nOrDic cOMbinED wOrlD cuP 2020/21

by Silke Tegethof

kEy wOMEn’S EvEnT DEbuTS

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic putting its mark on the 2020/21 winter and also affecting the FIS Nordic Combined World Cup season with postponements and cancellations, the remaining events still offered some big sporting moments.

nEw ThiS SEaSOn

This season, the two halves of nordic combined finally became one at the highest level of the sport with the important World Cup premiere of Women’s nordic combined. Although only one of the five planned events could finally be held in Ramsau am Dachstein (AUT), thanks to great support from the Austrian Ski Association, the inaugural World Cup winner Tara Geraghty-Moats (USA) and podium athletes Gyda Westvold Hansen (NOR) and Anju Nakamura (JPN) delivered an exciting event on a high level, impressing on the ski jump, as well as on the track. They were awarded their inaugural crystal globe and medals in a great and touching moment during the FIS Nordic World Ski Championship medal ceremonies in Oberstdorf (GER).

biggEST winnErS

On the men’s side, Jarl Magnus Riiber (NOR) continued his dominance of the sport and won the crystal globe for the third consecutive time. He claimed nine of the 15 individual victories of the season. Vinzenz Geiger (GER) recorded four wins, Akito Watabe (JPN) scored one and Jens Lurås Oftebro (NOR) entered the winners’ club with his maiden World Cup win in Ruka (FIN).

Jens lurås oftebro was the shooting star of the winter

bEST STOrylinES

The Nordic Combined Triple in Seefeld (AUT) saw its closest edition yet, with Riiber, Ilkka Herola (FIN) and Watabe fighting until the finish line on the third day, finally finishing within three seconds of each other. In addition, Watabe continued to be an admirable example of consistency and finished on the overall World Cup podium for the ninth time in his career. He also increased his record tally of second places to 30.

Jarl Magnus riiber (nor)

bEST nEwcOMErS

With two podium results and a top-six finish in the World Cup overall, junior Johannes Lamparter (AUT) made a big splash this season. The 20-year-old Jens Lurås Oftebro (NOR) impressed with his maiden victory and Ryota Yamamoto (JPN) also put on top jumping performances in claiming his career-first podium in Lahti (FIN).

On the women’s side, 19-year-old Marte Leinan Lund (NOR) and 17-year-old Sigrun Kleinrath (AUT) were the young athletes to watch with great performances across the World Cup and Continental Cup series.

retirements

MEN Magnus Krog (NOR) Max Teeling (AUT) Giulio Bezzi (ITA)

auDi FiS alPinE wOrlD cuP 2020/21

by giulia candiago and gianluca de cristofaro

a Thrilling SEaSOn OF alPinE acTiOn

The 2020/21 alpine season was a thrilling one until the very end, with incredible performances from a wide range of athletes.

glObE winnErS

Petra Vlhova (SVK) proved to be the most consistent woman, claiming the overall World Cup. Vlhova made history as the first Slovakian skier to win the prestigious trophy. From January onwards, the comeback of Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) left everyone in suspense and she finished runner-up in the fight for the overall title and conquered the super-G globe thanks to a streak of four consecutive wins.

Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) and Vlhova faced strong competition in a thrilling slalom season, including the likes of Katharina Liensberger (AUT), who eventually finished on top. Liensberger celebrated an incredible season with the slalom title, her first World Cup victory and two gold medals at the 2021 Cortina World Championships.

Marta Bassino (ITA) proved to be the best giant slalom skier, winning four of the first five races of the season. Italian teammate Sofia Goggia, despite a one-month injury break, won the downhill title thanks to four straight victories and a second place in this discipline.

One cannot fail to mention the incredible season of Michelle Gisin (SUI), who finished third in the overall standings with 22 top-10 finishes, six podiums and her first World Cup victory.

On the men’s tour, Alexis Pinturault (FRA) won a breathtaking duel with Marco Odermatt (SUI) to finish on top in both the giant slalom and the overall standings. He

became the second Frenchman to claim both globes in the same season after JeanClaude Killy’s exploits in 1966/67 and 1967/68.

An early season injury picked up by defending champion Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR) prevented him from taking part in the fight for the big globe, after a strong start of the season.

Slalom was definitely one of the most exciting disciplines with seven different athletes winning a race. Marco Schwarz (AUT) was able to secure the lead in the standings before the finals in Lenzerheide (SUI), after an impressive streak of six consecutive slalom podiums.

In the speed disciplines, Beat Feuz (SUI) was outstanding in securing his fourth consecutive downhill World Cup, matching compatriot Didier Cuche. Vincent Kriechmayr (AUT), after claiming two gold medals at the World Championships in Cortina, finished on top in the super-G standings to bring home his first-ever globe.

Also worth a mention was the outstanding season delivered by Marco Odermatt (SUI). The youngster won two giant slalom races and one super-G event and kept the fight for the overall and giant slalom titles open until the end. Ultimately, it was not his lucky season as he finished second in the super-G, giant slalom and overall standings. He will certainly be one to watch in coming seasons.

Marco Schwarz (AUt), winner of the 2020/21 Slalom World Cup

Marta Bassino (ItA), winner of the 2020/21 Giant Slalom World Cup

Alexis Pinturault (FrA) with the Giant Slalom and overall World Cup globes

vincent kriechmayr (AUt), winner of the 2020/21 super-G World Cup, in action Petra vlhova (Svk) with the overall World Cup globe

ThEy arE cOMing!

Odermatt was not the only young athlete to impress. With Clément Noel (FRA) finishing second in the slalom standings and firmly established as one of the top slalom skiers, the surprise athletes of the season were Lucas Braathen (NOR) and Atle Lie McGrath (NOR). The ‘Attacking Vikings’, both born in 2000, were enjoying successful seasons before being stopped by major injuries. Braathen won the opening giant slalom in Soelden (AUT), while McGrath scored his first World Cup podium in Alta Badia (ITA), finishing the giant slalom on the Gran Risa in second position with bib 29.

Finally, Alex Vinatzer (ITA) was awarded the Longines Rising Star prize, as the best performing U23 athlete. The slalom skier scored a podium in Madonna di Campiglio (ITA) and finished fourth in Alta Badia (ITA) and Lenzerheide (SUI).

On the women’s tour, Alice Robinson (NZL) reaffirmed her standing by winning the last race of the season in Lenzerheide after a difficult start. She won the Longines Rising Star trophy for the second consecutive time.

retirements

WOMEN Eva-Maria Brem (AUT) MEN Ted Ligety (USA) Julien Lizeroux (FRA) Jean-Baptiste Grange (FRA) Hannes Reichelt (AUT)

FiS FrEESTylE anD FrEESki wOrlD cuP 2020/21

by chad buchholz, Mateusz kielpinski and Julia ziemska

FaMiliar anD nEw FacES iMPrESS

Despite the huge and varied challenges faced by event organisers around the globe, 31 World Cup competitions took place across the six FIS freestyle and freeski events, with venues old and new stepping up to facilitate exceptional freestyle skiing action. Although our halfpipe, big air, aerials team and ski cross team seasons saw too few competitions taking place to award crystal globes, all other events had at least the three required competitions.

FrEESki

nEw ThiS SEaSOn

Freeski was affected more than perhaps any other FIS discipline by the global Covid-19 pandemic, with just five World Cups taking place (one each in big air and halfpipe and three in slopestyle), and no new venues among those. Still, with exceptional organisation at those competitions and the world’s very best giving it their all at every opportunity, the vibes were strong despite the short campaign, providing plenty to build on for the 2021/22 season.

biggEST winnErS

Slopestyle reigned supreme with three events in 2020/21, with top skiers Tess Ledeux (FRA) and Colby Stevenson (USA) earning not only the slopestyle crystal globes, but also the freeski overall titles for their efforts. It was pure dominance for Ledeux, winning all three slopestyle World Cups and finishing runner-up in big air, while Stevenson earned two wins and a fifth in his three events.

bEST STOrylinE

This one also goes to Ledeux, who was forced to withdraw from January’s X Games at Aspen (USA) due to family issues. However, she was able to return to competition later in the season, winning World Cups in Aspen and Silvaplana (SUI) in March to cap off a perfect three-for-three slopestyle season.

bEST nEwcOMErS

Kirsty Muir (GBR) and Matej Svancer (CZE/AUT) both crushed it in their first full seasons of international action, with 16-year-old Muir grabbing second place at the Aspen slopestyle World Cup and finishing second in the slopestyle World Cup rankings, and 17-year-old Svancer taking sixth in the big air in Kreischberg (AUT), as well as big air and slopestyle gold at the FIS Junior World Championships in Krasnoyarsk (RUS). Honourable mention to Edouard Therriault (CAN), big air silver medallist at the Aspen World Championships in his second World Cup season.

Ailing eileen Gu (CHn) upside down in Aspen (USA)

Henrik Harlaut (SWe) in kreischberg (AUt)

Maxim Burov (rUS) stomping his final jump for victory in Moscow (rUS)

Hinako tomitaka (JPn) in action at Idre Fjall (SWe)

laura Peel (AUS) flying above the clouds in Almaty (kAZ)

Max Graham (AUS) with his moguls crystal globe at World Cup finals in Almaty (kAZ)

Pirmin Werner (SUI) competing under the lights in Minsk (Blr)

MOgulS anD aErialS

nEw ThiS SEaSOn

An abbreviated moguls World Cup saw just five competitions take place at three different venues, while the aerials tour saw seven events at six locations in 2020/21, two of which were new World Cup venues: Yaroslavl (RUS) for aerials and aerials mixed team events, and Idre Fjäll (SWE), which made its postponed World Cup debut while staging both moguls and dual moguls events.

biggEST winnErS

The respective crystal globe winners stand front and centre. Perrine Laffont (FRA) claimed the women’s moguls title for the fourth straight season, while the men’s side saw a new moguls globe winner for the first time in a decade, Matt Graham (AUS). In the aerials, Laura Peel (AUS) earned her second-straight crystal globe. Meanwhile, Maxim Burov (RUS) had one of the best men’s seasons ever, winning the globe with five individual victories (as well as two team wins), and taking 2021 World Championships gold in Almaty (KAZ).

bEST STOrylinE

Matt Graham’s moguls title will be remembered as the first time in 10 years there was a World Cup winner in the discipline other than the great Mikael Kingsbury (CAN), who missed much of the season due to injury. Graham took full advantage of the opportunity granted by Kingsbury’s absence, recording three top-three spots (including one victory) to snag the globe.

bEST nEwcOMErS

The future of freestyle skiing is bright, with 2020/21 World Cup third-ranked athlete Marion Thenault (CAN) and Dmytro Kotovskyi (UKR) each earning Rookie of the Year honours for aerial skiers, while Kai Owens and Nick Page (both USA) were the top moguls’ rookies, both earning their first World Cup podiums in 2020/21.

Ski crOSS

nEw ThiS SEaSOn

It was a season of many firsts, with the biggest coming at new venue Bakuriani (GEO), an official test event for the 2023 FIS World Championships as well as the site of the first-ever ski cross mixed-team event. We also saw the World Cup debut of another exciting venue, the unique Crosspark Reiteralm (AUT), which seems destined to be a highlight stop for years to come.

biggEST winnEr

A historic moment closed off the triple-header Idre Fjäll when Fanny Smith (SUI) set a new record for most World Cup victories. With her 27th win in Idre, Smith surpassed her friend Ophelie David (FRA) to become the most successful all-time ski cross athlete. Smith ended the season with a total of 29 career victories, a World Championships silver medal and her third ski cross crystal globe.

Fanny Smith (SUI) won her third SX crystal globe and set a new record for being the winningest athlete in ski cross this season

reece Howden (CAn) in val thorens on the way to his first of four season victories

bEST STOrylinE

Although ski cross titan Sandra Naeslund (SWE) missed the first half of the season due to injury, she returned mid-season with a bang. Grabbing gold at the World Championships on home soil in February in her first event back, she then finished the season by hitting every World Cup podium, with two victories, two seconds, and a third-place finish in the Bukuriani mixed-team event with teammate David Mobaerg.

bEST nEwcOMErS

Reece Howden (CAN) was simply incredible in his first full World Cup season. The big 22-year-old Canadian managed to hit the podium six times in 2020/21, taking four victories and two second-place finishes while becoming the first man to earn both the ski cross crystal globe and the Rookie of the Year award in the same season.

retirements

MEN Filip Flisar (SLO)

FiS SnOwbOarD wOrlD cuP 2020/21

by chad buchholz, Mateusz kielpinski and Julia ziemska

SnOwbOarD STanDarD rEMainS high

Those involved in the FIS Snowboard World Cup faced their share of challenges in 2020/21, with the impact of Covid-19 leading to a shortened season and revamped calendar. However, the competitions that did take place in 2020/21 were of an exceptional calibre, with dedicated organisers facilitating safe, progressive and entertaining competitions for the world’s best snowboard athletes in a critical Olympic qualification season.

There were 23 FIS Snowboard World Cup competitions conducted in 2020/21, with all events except for halfpipe, big air, snowboard cross team and parallel team completing the requisite competitions to award the top athletes crystal globes. Below are some highlights from the season.

Sebastien toutant (CAn) in Silvaplana (SUI)

Park & PiPE

nEw ThiS SEaSOn

With only six FIS World Cup competitions in the Park & Pipe World Cup in 2020/21 (one big air, two halfpipe and three slopestyle), the “new this season” category was limited. However, the last-minute addition of Silvaplana (SUI) as a host for the slopestyle World Cup finals was a huge one, as the long-time freeski venue welcomed snowboarders for World Cup action for the first time, making a huge impression with its standout course and organisation.

biggEST winnErS

Heavyweights Anna Gasser (AUT) and Marcus Kleveland (NOR) walked away with both their respective slopestyle and park & pipe overall crystal globes for 2020/21. Gasser has now won five globes in her career, while Kleveland’s dominant campaign earned him the first-ever park & pipe globe for a Norwe-gian man.

bEST STOrylinE

Two of the most popular outcomes in this category came in the halfpipe, with Chloe Kim (USA) returning to competition after almost two years away to win both halfpipe World Cups (as well as a gold medal at the World Champi-onships) and Shaun White (USA) dropping in for the first time in over three years to finish fourth at the Aspen World Cup as he bids for his fifth Olympic Games.

bEST nEwcOMEr

Valentino Guseli (AUS) was the winner here, bursting onto the World Cup scene by posting the top qualification score at the Laax Open HP World Cup in Switzerland. Following the season, Guseli set a new world record for the highest-ever halfpipe air, 7.3 m, also in Laax, with the 16-year-old well on his way to becoming the next Australian halfpipe superstar.

Andre Hoefflich (Ger) boosting in laax (SUI)

Hailey langland (USA) in Aspen (USA)

SnOwbOarD crOSS

nEw ThiS SEaSOn

There were six FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup competitions in four resorts during the 2020/21 season, with three new resorts added to the World Cup calendar (Chiesa in Valmalenco (ITA), Crosspark Reiteralm (AUT) and the future 2023 FIS Snowboard, Freestyle Freeski World Championships venue, Bakuriani (GEO)). All three resorts were seamless additions, with great organisation and exciting snowboard cross racing.

biggEST winnEr

Alessandro Hämmerle (AUT) achieved the snowboard cross crystal globe three-peat this season. With three victories and a third-place (as well as a silver medal at the World Championships), Hämmerle scored the victory at the season finale in Veysonnaz (SUI) to earn the Snowboard Cross World Cup title for a record-equalling third time in a row.

bEST STOrylinE

World Championships silver medallist and three-time crystal globe winner Michela Moioli (ITA) and World Championships bronze medallist and two-time crystal globe winner Eva Samkova (CZE) entered the season finale in Veysonnaz tied with 350 points. It was an epic battle between the pair until the last heat of the season, with both athletes fighting to the finish line of the big final, with Samkova crossing just ahead of Moioli to claim the 2020/21 globe.

eva Samkova (CZe) and Alessandro Hämmerle (AUt) both won their third crystal globe this season at the finals in veysonnaz

Glenn de Blois (ned) on the way to grab his maiden World Cup victory in valmalenco and the first one for the netherlands since 1997

bEST nEwcOMErS

Although not really a newcomer, Glenn de Blois (NED) managed to grab his maiden World Cup podium appearance in the form of a victory to become the first Dutch snowboard cross winner since 1997. De Blois enjoyed strong performances throughout all competitions and closed the season fourth overall in the World Cup rankings.

SnOwbOarD alPinE

SEaSOn OvErviEw

The 2020/21 FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup season saw 11 competitions across the parallel giant slalom, parallel slalom, and parallel team events, at eight venues in six countries, including the season finale in Berchtesgaden (GER), which returned to the FIS Snowboard World Cup calendar for the first time in 17 years.

biggEST winnErS

Ramona Theresia Hofmeister (GER) and Aaron March (ITA) earned the top spots. Hofmeister dominated for the second-straight season on the women’s side, winning both the parallel giant slalom and overall crystal globes once again while racking up three wins and six podium

appearances. On the men’s side it was March who came through with a clutch performance at the final event in Berchtesgaden to emerge as the season’s top performer, earning his second parallel slalom title and his first parallel overall globe.

Aaron March (ItA) and ramona theresia Hofmeister (Ger) with big crystal globes in Berchtesgaden (Ger)

Sofia nadyrshina (rUS) celebrating victory in Scuol (SUI)

roland Fischnaller (ItA) competing on home soil in Carezza (ItA)

bEST STOrylinE

At the final parallel giant slalom event of the season in Rogla (SLO), 40-year-old Roland Fischnaller (ITA) did just enough to earn his second straight crystal globe. Although he only finished in ninth place in Rogla, Fischnaller managed to jump from third to first overall, just one point ahead of Igor Sluev (RUS) and two points ahead of Benjamin Karl (AUT). With just two points separating the top-three riders, the 2020/21 men’s parallel giant slalom World Cup tour became the most closely contested campaign ever.

bEST nEwcOMErS

Although they might not technically be “newcomers”, young stars Sofia Nadyrshina (RUS), Dmitry Loginov (RUS) and Igor Sluev (RUS) were the force that powered their country to the top of the Alpine Nations Cup standings for the first time, with the future looking very bright indeed for Russia.

retirements

WOMEN Aimee Fuller (GBR) Sina Candrian (SUI) Isabel Derungs (SUI) Selina Jörg (GER) Cheyenne Loch (GER) Carle Brenneman (CAN) MEN Pierre Vaultier (FRA) Iouri Podlatchikov (SUI)

PErSPEcTivES