For the next two years, Claudia Riegler (AUT) and Roland Fischnaller (ITA) will be the reigning world champions in the parallel giant slalom and parallel slalom, respectively. However, they also could remain the oldest snowboarders ever to win the world title even longer.

With 41 and 34 years of age, both earned their chapters in the history books – reason enough for FISSnowboard.com to sit together with the two raceboarders who completed their medal set with the missing gold in Lachtal last January.

FISSnowboard.com: Claudia, Roland – how do you feel as world champions?
Roland Fischnaller: It feels great. A lot of friends of mine who have been studying and finished university with the doctor title told me that I finally have a title, too. A title which lasts forever. That's definitely a good feeling.

People ask me, no matter where, if I have the medal with me. Well, I have it with me every time, in my pocket just like my phone.

Claudia Riegler: It's nice and has been a blast so far. I enjoyed the big welcome event in my hometown and also the TV presence with ORF. It was a lot of stuff going on but I liked it.

I knew what would come as my sister Manuela had won gold ten years ago but it was even more to deal with as it was a home soil event.

So, no time for celebration?
Claudia Riegler: It was quite except the day of the event when we celebrated the medal.

Roland Fischnaller: We did party hard ,about three days. It's been good times.

Claudia Riegler: There you go. This is the difference of six years (laughs). 41 years is – regarding partying – a bit of a handicap.

But with age comes experience, right?
Roland Fischnaller: Experience is the key to success. Before Lachtal I had already said that I might be at the start 30% more relaxed than the most of my competitors.

I was able to race my own race and concentrate on myself not on my rival next to me. I guess Claudia felt the same.

Claudia Riegler: That's true. The experience helped a lot to handle the set-back of an off year with only three top-8 finishes and not being nominated for the parallel slalom. I was able to focus on myself and my goals.

I was mentally strong and able to accept the role as an outsider knowing that I can handle the hill after some successful training days on the slope. I just knew that everything could be possible.

And I guess it helped that I entered the race going for the gold. Not for a medal but I went for the title. I already had silver and bronze to my belt so I was fully focused on the title.

Talking about medal sets, Roland you also completed yours.
Roland Fischnaller: Yes. There are many riders who have medals but the golden hardware is another category. It's definitely the highlight of my career. It means everything to me that I was the best that one day when it counted.

How about you Claudia. What does the title mean to you?
A lot. The funny thing is I always wanted to be a world champion, not the Olympic champion – although you have more chances.

It makes me proud that I finally became the world champion – in my ninth attempt – after many people had said I should retire as I'm not fast any more or can't win races anymore.

But you know, let the people talk, I set my own limits.

Well, both of you might have set the limit for the oldest rider to ever win a world title. Do you think it will last forever?
Roland Fischnaller: I'm not sure about Claudia but there are a few riders who could take over that label from me. Maybe Andreas Prommegger could do. So far he has no medal yet, but I think it's about time for him.