IWWF EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS Pictures credit : Valentina Aureli
This competition, as its name indicates, brings together only the best European athletes. The title is precious for European citizens and, as always, the battle to reign on Recetto was fierce this year. Although many talented skiers were competing, it was difficult to guess who would take the top step of the podium.
Manon Costard, the defending European champion and a great favorite for this competition, fell early (1,5@11,25m 38off) during prelims and the crowd started to believe that the door was wide open for her opponents, Sandra Bottas or Beatrice Ianni. But Manon’s intensity to win was too strong. And, because she was the only woman to run 11,25m (38off) in Saturday's finals, Manon remained the champion.
Sandra skied well, ensuring a silver medal with 5@11,25m (38off). Alice Bagnoli completed the podium, an amazing result which enhanced her position on the overall leaderboard, and gave her confidence going into the trick event. Alice beautifully executed her hand and toe passes, and took her first win in a European Championship, pushing her onto the overall winning step. What a great week for the Italian in front of her crowd.
Manon Costard - Slalom Champion
One of the most amazing wins of this tournament came all the way from Greece. Marie Vympranietsova, 42 years old, took the win in front of two serious competitors, 5-time European junior champion, Ines Anguenot, and Alice Bagnoli. Beatrice Ianni
On the men's side, the battle was fierce on every level! Tricks - Danylo Filchenko and Louis Duplan Fribourg both scored above 11,000 points in the finals. But Louis absolutely killed it with 11,900 total points. Nicholas Benatti completed the podium with a solid 10,260 points.
Sandra Bottas
Alice Bagnoli
