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Patrizia Kummer and Benjamin Karl win last World Cup race in 2011

Sunday, 25 December 2011

Patrizia Kummer and Benjamin Karl win last World Cup race in 2011

CAREZZA, Italy (Dec. 22) – Patrizia Kummer (SUI) and Benjamin Karl (AUT) have won the 2012 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup's last race in 2011, which took place in Carezza, Italy, today. In the women's final of the second parallel slalom, which was flagged out with 29 gates on the Pra di Tori slope, the Swiss rider beat Isabella Laboeck (GER) thus earning her career's second World Cup win. In the battle for third, Anke Karstens (GER) crossed the finish line ahead of Julia Dujmovits (AUT).

On the men's side, it was Benjamin Karl carving to his career's 14th win while facing slight snow fall. Simon Schoch (SUI) came in, closely beaten, as second. Siegfried Grabner (AUT) rounded out the podium as third after he had edged off Jernej Demsar (SLO) to fourth in the small finals.

The LG Snowboard FIS World Cup will continue after the Christmas break. On January 13th, the season's third parallel slalom is scheduled at Jauerling, Austria.

Key facts
It's the first time since November 2001 that two German ladies placed on the podium. Back then, Sandra Farmand and Heidi Renoth had come in second and third in a parallel slalom hosted in Ischgl, Austria.
Patrizia Kummer celebrated two podium results in so far 66 starts, however, both times she was able to win.
It was podium #5 for Isabella Laboeck. Since 64 starts, the German racer is still waiting for her career's first victory.
Anke Karsten's last top-3 results dates back three years. Today, in World Cup start 47, she finally earned her fourth podium spot.
Benjamin Karl will start as World Cup leader (3,250 points) at the next race which is scheduled at Jauerling Jan 13 (PSL). On the women's side, Fraenzi Maegert-Kohli (SUI, 2,460) is still in the lead.
Simon Schoch brings home podium #26 in 126 starts
Siegfried Grabner clinches his 32nd top-3 result in 121 starts

Quotes

Patrizia Kummer (SU): I know that I'm fast in the parallel slalom. I didn't felt good in the qualifiers but still was quite fast. In the finals, it turned out to get better and better with every single run.

I was quite nervous and was thinking too much. I had to focus a lot to avoid any stupid mistakes. It was a great race.

It's awesome to win the last race before Christmas. The shopping in the US was worth it.

Isabella Laboeck (GER): Finally! Yesterday I kind of had a crisis of meaning. And today brings such a result. This is just massive! I'm stoked to be on the podium.

It was a brutal ride. I tried everything in the second run of the finals. Everybody who placed in the top really deserved it today. It was a very technically course who ended up pretty ruined.

Benjamin Karl (AUT): The slope was just brutal, the race was a fight.

It's the nicest Christmas present you can dream of. Now it's time to go home with my wife and celebrate. It couldn't be any better. I'm really happy!

Simon Schoch (SUI): In the main, the joy outweighs, although I was beaten by only two tenths.

I just made it into the finals being the 16th fastest qualifier. However, I did get into it better. According to this, I'm pretty pleased.