Marion Kreiner wins Ladies’ Parallel Giant Slalom in Sölden, Austria

In the final of the first ladies Parallel Giant Slalom of the NOKIA Snowboard FIS World Cup 2007/2008, the Austrian women were on fire! Marion Kreiner from Graz finally defeated her teammate – and roommate – Heidi Neururer on the Rettenbach glacier in Soelden, Austria, to secure the first victory of her career.

Having taken third place last year on this same hill, Kreiner was definitely one of the favorites. In a thrilling final Heidi Neururer crashed in the first run and had to take penalty time in the second. Unfortunately for Neururer, Kreiner was riding stronger than ever. In the contest to decide third and fourth place, Dutch rider Nicolien Sauerbreij defeated Italian Carmen Ranigler to secure third.

“Now I am really relieved but also really exhausted,” said Marion Kreiner , overwhelmed after the competition. “Everything worked out great today. It was my goal to be on the podium. Really hard conditions did not make it easy, but I was fighting and it turned out perfectly. My board is really fast and challenges me at every turn. Now I would like to continue like that and perhaps even wear the yellow jersey at some point – maybe at the season’s end.”

Heidi Neururer was really glad about her position: “It was quite okay today. I am very glad that I am still able to ride on a podium at a GS competition, it was really fun and I am also really happy for Marion (Kreiner), she really deserves it. To receive the yellow jersey and now having a little break makes the weekend even better.”

The Ladies Podium in Sölden:

1. KREINER Marion (AUT)

2. NEURURER Heidi (AUT)

3. SAUERBREIJ Nicolien (NED)

For more info, go to the NOKIA Snowboard FIS World Cup website.