Third Europa Cup concludes in Veysonnaz

Switzerland’s Robin Cuche, Spain’s Jon Santacana Maiztegui, France’s Frederic Francois and Germany’s Anna-Maria Rieder were the stand-out athletes at the third Para alpine skiing Europa Cup, which took place in Veysonnaz, Switzerland, from 7-9 January.

In the men’s visually impaired, Maiztegui, guided by Miguel Galindo Garces, won the giant slalom and the second edition of the super-G, ahead of Australians Shaun Pianta with guide Jeremy O’Sullivan and Patrick Jensen, guided by Lara Emily Falk, in both races.

The Spaniard also added another win in the first super-G to lead the overall rankings with 520 points.

Croatia’s Damir Mizdrak secured a win in the slalom with guide Luka Debeljak followed by British skier Michael Kear and guide Rufus Alcott.

Cuche claimed both super-G races in the men’s standing ahead of current overall leader, Finland’s Santeri Kiiveri, and Frenchman Jordan Broisin.

Kiverii was the fastest in the giant slalom, with Broisin coming second and Australia’s Jonty O’Callaghan ending third. Broisin emerged as the winner in the slalom, followed by Italy’s Andrea Valenti and Kiiveri.

France performed a clean sweep in the men’s sitting. Yohann Taberlet secured the win in the slalom, with teammate Frederic Francois taking the second place and Germany’s Bjoern Behnke the third.

Francois claimed the No. 1 spot again in the first super-G, ahead of Australia’s Mark Soyer and Taberlet.

Compatriots Francois and Taberlet switched places in the second super-G, with Behnke finishing third. Francois was the victor again in the giant slalom, followed by Behnke and Czech Republic’s Pavel Bambousek.

Slalom and giant slalom races were contested in women’s events, with German skier Anna-Maria Rieder winning both in the standing class.

In the slalom, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Ilma Kazazic finished second. Spain’s Ursula Pueyo Marimon followed Rieder in the giant slalom, with Kazazic coming third.

In the women’s visually impaired, Croatia’s Eva Goluza, guided by Ana Zigman, secured the win in the slalom ahead of Germany’s Noemi Ewa Ristau and guide Lucien Gerkau. They then switched places in the giant slalom.

The slalom was the only event in the women’s sitting, with the Netherlands’ Barbara van Bergen taking the first place.

The Para alpine skiing season will continue with two World Cups in Innerkrems, Austria, from 11-15 January, and Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, between 18-20 January.

Around 140 athletes from 30 countries will then head to Tarvisio, Italy, to compete in the World Para Alpine Skiing Championships, the biggest event of the year in the sport, from 22-31 January.

The Europa Cup season will continue in February with three stages in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, Sljeme, Croatia, and Stara Planina, Serbia, and will end in March in Veysonnaz, Switzerland.

Find more information on World Para Alpine Skiing’s website.