Ester Ledecka (CZE) and Radoslav Yankov (BUL) have claimed victory in this season's first parallel giant slalom of the alpine snowboard World Cup tour which was staged in Carezza, Italy today.

But while Ledecka's win didn't come out of the blue, Yankov added an unexpected chapter to the history books becoming the first male Bulgarian to ever win a snowboard World Cup event.

Yankov therefore not only surprised the world's best with a stunning performance keeping the momentum from his two victories at last weekend's Europa Cup event in Hochfuegen, Austria but also himself.

“I can't say anything. I mean it was the first time, I made it to the finals, and then I end up winning a World Cup. I can't believe what just happened,” said the 25-year-old who could have already earned the title '(not so young) rookie of the year' due to his exciting race already.

In 52 starts before his breakthrough performance, the tall Bulgarian had brought home an 18th rank finish as best result twice (Carezza and Asahikawa, Japan last season).

But it seems that things were meant to change today.

In his career's first head-to-head show-down on World Cup level, he simply owned the 482m long course which was flagged with 20 gates on the Pra di Tori slope finally beating reigning pgs world champion Andrey Sobolev (RUS) by only 5 hundredths in the men's final.

Nevin Galmarini won the battle for third against Andreas Prommegger (AUT).

Asked what was different compared to the recent years, Yankov answered: “We have changed a lot of things. First of all I got rid of my back problems, and I also have a new equipment set-up.”

In the ladies' event, reigning parallel slalom world champion Ledecka edged off Swiss talent Ladina Jenny to the second rank which marked the first podium finish for the 22-year-old regular rider.

As a result, both racers were all smiles in the finish area.

“That has been one of the best starts I could have wished for. I hope all the races of the season will be like the one today. It was a great, perfectly organised race like always,” explained Ledecka while Jenny stated:

“I'm super happy about my career's best World Cup result. I brought down pretty good runs in all of my duels. Although I had a good training I wasn't expecting to end up that good today.”

In front of big crowd which barracked for the riders, Ekaterina Tudegesheva (RUS) rounded out the podium as third after Julie Zogg (SUI) fell in a tight small final.

The alpine snowboard World Cup tour continues next weekend with a parallel slalom in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy which will take place on December 19th, 2015 under the lights and as a replacement event for the cancelled sbx World Cup which was originally scheduled that date.

Source: fis-ski.com