It's hard to say who has the skills to beat the French slalom riders and there was only one rider today who hindered them from taking both gold and silver medals at the season's second Parallel Slalom World Cup in Berchtesgaden.

	Isabelle Blanc

Snow started falling last night and didn't stop until noon today, as temperatures rose. Much like last week in Les Gets the slope was perfect for Bozzetto & Co. When the Frenchies, Matthieu Bozzetto, Nicolas Huet, Isabelle Blanc and Karine Ruby, advanced to the semi finals, most people had no doubt that they could dominate the race. But things turned out to be different than everyone expected.

Bozzetto had finished first in the qualification and therefore was set to race the red course first. After some initial problems, he just flew down the course when racing on the blue and this got him the advantage to take his second gold in a parallel competition this season.

"I just could not believe it,something like being two different racers in one person, a bad Matthieu on the red course and an excellent one on the blue...."— Matthieu Bozzetto, FRA

"It really wasn't easy today," Bozzetto said, obviously feeling relieved. "I did not get the right stand on the board today but still was kind of fast. However, I can't remember whenever I made so many mistakes as today, especially on the red course which was the easiest by far. On the other hand, I had incredible runs on the blue. The crowd was cheering at me but once I got to meet Markus Ebner (Germany) in the semi finals they switched to give him the support and I made a mistake, again on the red.

"I just could not believe it," continued Bozzetto, "something like being two different racers in one person, a bad Matthieu on the red course and an excellent one on the blue... However, I'm really happy since I did a couple of perfect runs."

Felix Stadler (AUT), who had never before made it to a parallel final, presented himself in good shape and almost had the gold in his hands after beating Bozzetto in the first run of the finals. But then the two had to switch lanes and Bozzetto was in the blue again.

"I'm completely happy with 2nd place," said Stadler. "I noticed Bozzetto having problems in the semi finals but also saw him racing on the blue course after and by that time knew that it would be hard to race against him. It was funny: wearing bib number 13 I went 3rd in the PGS on Friday and took it as an omen that I had the 12 today. Maybe I get the 11 next time."

	Bozzetto

Nicolat Huet from France lost to Stadler in the semi finals, then met Markus Ebner in the race for 3rd place and triumphed over the German. With today's result, Bozzetto took the lead in the parallel slalom standings again. Huet is in 2nd now, ahead of Stephen Copp from Sweden, who was eliminated by Bozzetto in the quarter finals today and ended up 6th.

Isabelle Blanc and Karine Ruby completed the French success by taking 1st and 2nd place in the womens' race. Said Blanc, "I felt really good and was quite confident but none of those in the finals are easy to race against. It was good having Karine in the finals again although it's always big pressure. But you have to put 200 percent into every run, anyway."

Austria's Nina Schlegel won the race for 3rd place against Sara Fischer from Sweden. Blanc is now leading the parallel standings ahead of Austria's Manuela Riegler who finished 5th today and Margerita Parini from Italy who ended up 12th.

The next stage is scheduled for Schönried, Switzerland, next week, featuring giant slalom and snowboard cross.

—Britta Semmler, MountainZone.com Correspondent