NOKIA Snowboard FIS World Cup 2003/200401/05/04 - Press Release
Aleksi Vanninen triumphs at the Big Air City-Event in Klagenfurt Aleksi Vanninen has won the third Big Air competition of the NOKIA Snowboard FIS World Cup 2003/2004. The Finnish freestyler triumphed with a lead of 2.5 points in front of Swedish Simon Ax. Alessandro Boyens from Germany made the third rank in a high class final. Austrian Florian Mausser who came in the final as best placed rider of the qualification runs missed the podium as fourth. Jaakko Ruha (FIN) took the fifth spot. According to the local Organizing Committee about 15.000 spectators watched the Big Air competition at Schleppe Alm in Klagenfurt. In the Carinthian capital, Aleksi Vanninen celebrated his career's first World Cup victory. "Today, I had the perfect strategy: To risk as much as possible and win everything. All of my jumps worked out pretty good", explained the 30 years old Finn after the price ceremony. Simon Ax took over the lead of the Big Air World Cup because of his second rank. According to this, the 20 years old Swedish rider was very content with the result: "I'm absolutely pleased. To get the yellow jersey is a fantastic surprise but my first jump could have been better." Alessandro Boyens was glad with his third rank, too. For the first time ever, the German freestyler took a podium spot. "I feel good. I'm just annoyed with my third run. Normally, I easily land that one", said the 23 years old snowboarder.
Two floodlight competitions in Bad Gastein: World's elite will start Prelude of the alpine snowboarders and the Snowboard Cross specialists in the new year: On January 5th, athletes compete in Bad Gastein in a Snowboard Cross of the NOKIA Snowboard FIS World Cup 2003/2004 at the Skiarena Bucheben. In each case, four riders try to manage the next round in head to head races under floodlight. The day after, a Parallel Slalom will also be held. Austrian Boarders will be highly motivated starting in Bad Gastein. The outstanding alpine boarders Siegfried Grabner and Stefan Kaltschutz as well as Dieter Krassnig (Snowboard Cross) want to benefit from the homefield advantage and show why they all are in a good position in the World Cup. They will struggle for World Cup points with Jasey Jay Anderson (CAN), Gilles Jaquet and Urs Eiselin (both SUI). Krassnig has to face the other finalists of Whistler. Simone Salvati and Stefano Pozzolini (both ITA) have applied to start as well as Florent Mather (FRA) who gained victory in Canada. At the women competition, Doresia Krings and Maria Pichler (both AUT) will battle the Swiss racers Ursula Bruhin and Daniela Meuli for the podium spots. At the Snowboard Cross, French and Italian athletes are among the favourites. In Bad Gastein, the podium riders of Whistler will line up: Karine Ruby and Marie Laissus (both FRA) as well as Jennifer Frino (ITA). Time schedule: Tuesday, January 6th: Current changes and updates can be gathered from the FIS homepage: www.fis-ski.com
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