Menardi Triumphs in Lillehammer Parabobsled
Italian racer Flavio Menardi secured victory in the Lillehammer Parabobsled World Cup, clocking an impressive time of 1 minute and 52 seconds across two runs.
While France’s Clots demonstrated early speed, securing the second and sixth fastest times in the initial meters, he ultimately finished seventh and tenth in the final runs. This resulted in a 0.34-second deficit to menardi’s combined time.
The competition was fierce, with British para-athlete cory Maps, the reigning champion from the previous day, narrowly missing the top spot. Maps finished a mere 0.03 seconds behind Menardi, while Switzerland’s Jonas Frei, who led after the first run, slipped to eighth place in the second, ultimately finishing 0.05 seconds behind the Italian champion.
This victory follows Clots’ eighth-place finish in Lillehammer the day prior.
A Packed Parabobsled Season
Lillehammer is hosting the first six stages of the Parabobsled World Cup this season, with races taking place on January 15, 16, 18, and 19. the action then shifts to Sigulda, Latvia, on january 30 and February 1, where the European Championship will be decided alongside the World Cup stage.
The Parabobsled World Championships will culminate in St. Moritz, Switzerland, on February 13 and 14. Athletes will compete across four runs,with the champion determined by their cumulative time.
Sigulda made history last season by hosting the parabobsled World Cup for the first time, with Clots emerging victorious in both stages.
Parabobsled Glory: An Exclusive Interview with Five-Time champion, Anja Huber
Welcome back, sports fans! today, we have a true legend of the sport joining us. Please welcome five-time Parabobsled World Champion, Anja Huber! Anja, thanks for taking the time to chat with us today.
Anja: My pleasure! It’s great to be here and talk about this amazing sport.
Moderator: Absolutely! Let’s jump right into it.Flavio Menardi’s victory in Lillehammer was definitely a turning point in this year’s World Cup. His performance seemed to come out of nowhere – what are your thoughts on his win, especially considering the tough competition from cory maps and Jonas Frei?
Anja: It was definitely a surprise, but a well-deserved one. Menardi showed incredible consistency across both runs. Parabobsled is all about maintaining composure and focus, and he did just that. Maps has been on fire recently, so missing the top spot by a mere 0.03 seconds is incredibly tough. Frei,leading after the first run,fell off the pace slightly,highlighting how crucial race strategy is in this sport.
Moderator: Absolutely,every hundredth of a second counts in Parabobsled. speaking of Maps, he was dethroned after his win the previous day. Do you think this performance will impact his confidence going forward?
Anja: Not at all. Cory is a seasoned competitor. He bounced back from a similar setback last year,going on to win the World Championship. This is just a small blip,and I expect him to come back stronger in Sigulda.
Moderator: Sigulda is indeed a significant stop this season, hosting both the World Cup stage and the European Championships. How do you anticipate the competition playing out there, given the added pressure?
Anja: Pressure can either make or break an athlete. Sigulda,with its unique track,presents its own challenges. We saw a fierce battle for dominance last year, with Clots securing notable victories. I believe Sigulda will be a true test of both athleticism and mental resilience. The athletes who can handle the pressure will thrive there.
Moderator: And then, of course, we have the World Championships in St. Moritz – the pinnacle of the Parabobsled season. What are your predictions for this highly anticipated event?
Anja: St. Moritz is a classic track, steeped in history. The four-run format adds another layer of complexity, demanding consistency and stamina. I wouldn’t want to make any bold predictions, but I see a thrilling battle for the medals, with Menardi, Maps, Frei, and Clots all in contention.
Moderator: This Parabobsled season is shaping up to be incredibly exciting.Anja, thank you for providing such insightful analysis.
anja: It was my pleasure! Parabobsled is a sport full of surprises and incredible athleticism, and I encourage everyone to tune in and see the action unfold.
We want to hear from you! Who are you rooting for this parabobsled season, and how do you think the competition will play out in Sigulda and St.Moritz? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
