Kreiner And Anderson Take World Championships Gold (26-Jan-09)

FIS Championships, Gangwon, Korea, Jan. 26, 2009 - In the first parallel race of the 2009 FIS Snowboard World Championships

In the first parallel race of the 2009 FIS Snowboard World Championships Gangwon, Korea, presented by LG it was Austria and Canada celebrating World Championships honours. In the Parallel Giant Slalom, it was Marion Kreiner (AUT) who successfully competed against her fellow country woman Doris Guenther taking home her first ever World Championships Gold – the second one for Austria at this 2009 major event – after winning Silver two years ago. In the battle for third, Patrizia Kummer (SUI) crossed the finish line ahead of Japan’s Tomoka Takeuchi grabbing an unexpected Bronze medal.

On the men’s side, it was time again for 2003 double World Champion Jasey Jay Anderson. After four years, the Canadian took another Gold medal back home relegating Sylvain Dufour (FRA) to the second rank. In addition, Matthew Morison took another medal for Canada finishing third by beating Benjamin Karl from Austria in the small final.

However, it was the World Championships comeback of Anderson which shined in Hyundai Sungwoo resort. No wonder that the father of two kids was more than pleased: “I’m an old but very happy man. This is a great result for Canada with Matthew (Morison) also finishing on the podium.” Although he didn’t expect this win the 33-year-old said: “That you always go for it.” Therefore it was helpful that “I’m usually doing good in Korea on this hill. Although I broke my bindings here last year, I like this hill”, where he won a World Cup two years ago.

On the ladies’ side, the Gold medal for Kreiner was also not to expect looking on her results of her earlier season and facing Guenther in the final who had won three out of the five parallel World Cup races so far: “When I crossed the finish line I was just screaming `Yes!´ but now I don’t know what to say at all” said the new World Champion who has now a Gold and a Silver medal on her belt. “I guess it paid off that I took a rest over Christmas trying to concentrate on myself and to find myself again. After Kreischberg where I finished fifth and sixth I knew that I could have a chance. I’m so happy, is there anything better than the title?” On her way to her title the 27-year-old kicked out Caroline Calve (CAN), thereafter former World Champion Ekaterina Tudegesheva (RUS) and Patrizia Kummer in the semi finals.

In addition, third ranked Patrizia Kummer surprised herself, too, by brining home her best ever finish and this at the World Championships: “This is unbelievable. I never expected this. I knew I can race fast but never believed it would be enough for a medal.”

Also Sylvain Dufour would have had no one on the list prior the season. Having competed in 91 World Cups so far, the 26-year-old French rider had placed only once on the podium finishing second in Limone Piemonte only one month ago – with Morison and Anderson also rounding out this podium. Before, he had had only three more top-10 results: “I’m very happy although I wanted to win. However, Jasey (Anderson) was faster. I had strong legs and felt pretty good on the slope, so I’m glad that I was able to show my best snowboarding.”