Europa Cup winners crowned after races cancelled

The winners of the World Para Alpine Skiing Europa Cup season have been crowned early after the last day of the Finals had to be cancelled.

Warm weather meant the slalom races that were due be held on Thursday (29 March) in Obersaxen, Switzerland, could not take place.

Sixty skiers from 11 countries were in Obersaxen, and had already competed in super-G, super combined and giant slalom events. It gave many a taste of what is to come at next year’s World Championships, which will be held at the same resort from 6-15 March 2019.

Switzerland’s Christoph Kunz finished top of the men’s overall sitting rankings following his hat-trick of victories on home snow.

Two-time PyeongChang 2018 bronze medallist Markus Salcher went two-for-three over the week to earn the No.1 spot in the men’s standing. Salcher finished only 60 Europa Cup points ahead of Swiss skier Thomas Pfyl, who beat his Austrian counterpart in the super-combined.

On the women’s side, Ruth Hagspiel and Melania Corradini secured control of their respective categories – sitting and standing – thanks to their performances in Obersaxen. Germany’s Hagspiel and Italy’s Corradini both captured a pair of gold medals and a silver at Obersaxen.

Austria’s Veronika Aigner, with her guide Elisabeth Aigner, finished clear at the top of the women’s vision impaired.

Their compatriot Gernot Morgenfurt also claimed the No.1 ranking in the men’s equivalent despite not competing at the season-ending Finals.

The final Europa Cup standings can be found on World Para Alpine Skiing’s website.