While Kristina Paul earned the 21st title for Russia in junior worlds history, Haemmerle stepped into the footsteps of his older brother at the penultimate medal decision of the 20th FIS Snowboard Junior World Championships.
Due to the warm weather and therefore very soft snow conditions, Race Officials had brought the snowboard cross finals forward by one day – much to the delight of the Russian and Austrian racers who came out victorious off the medal decisions!
Only a few days after she had claimed the Russian national title in Sunny Valley, Kristina Paul also became the 2016 snowboard cross junior world champion in Rogla, Slovenia beating Lara Casanova (SUI), Manon Petit (FRA) and Meryeta Odine (CAN) in the women's final.
The 18-year-old therefore also got a perfect redemption for her unlucky elimination in the 2016 YOG semifinals in Lillehammer, Norway where she finished fifth six weeks ago.
“I still can believe what just happened. I'm super happy. I can't say anything more,” said Paul after the finals and the 21st junior worlds gold medal for her home country in history before adding:
“Everything was fine, although the snow wasn't easy to ride today!“ Paul had been showcasing some very good technical riding in the slushy conditions fighting hard for the perfect line and successfully defending it when she had to.
In the men's event, Luca Haemmerle, the youngest of three sbx brothers, added another special chapter to the history books.
Almost four years to the date after his brother Alessandro, who finished off the 2015-16 World Cup season as second best sbx performer, won the sbx title at the junior world championships in Sierra Nevada, Spain Luca added another gold to the families' trophy list.
In addition, the oldest of the three, Michael had won silver in 2009 while Alessandro also celebrated a silver back in 2013.
In the thrilling final heat, the 19-year-old who had placed in 20th position at the 2015 major event, crossed the finish line ahead of Duncan Campbell (NZL), Vincent Dreme (FRA) as well as odds-on favourite Daniil Dilman (RUS) who had to settle for fourth after winning the title back in 2014 and 2015.
“I just won this race, and I still cannot believe it. It wasn't easy to get that far, but when I made it to the big final I knew that everything would be possible. And I did it, I cannot believe it. It's super nice to win here in Rogla,” Haemmerle cheered.
Full results can be checked online.
The 20th FIS Snowboard Junior World Championships will wrap up tomorrow with the team snowboard cross event.
Source: fis-ski.com
