Bozzetto

After exciting head-to-head duels, the 1999/2000 parallel slalom World Cup Final was decided in Livigno, Italy, today. In the cumulative Overall standings four French riders and two Austrians made it to the podium.

French rider Matthieu Bozzetto was already a shoe-in for the parallel World Cup title, so his win today only confirmed his talent.

"I am so glad I worked that out," he said, "I did not only want to confirm why I am awarded the globe, I still needed to have a good result with regard to the Overall World Cup. I have been a bit scared because I did not make it to the podium for quite a while. That's why I was very careful today and kept concentrated all the way through."

"I was supposed to face Isabelle in the semi finals and was 100 percent sure that I would be able to beat her. I just did not make it there...."— Manuela Riegler (AUT)

The natural blonde raced with fire-red hair today. "Just for fun," he explained, "but it flashes like hell and maybe scared my rivals."

Perhaps his teammate and friend, Nicolas Huet, should have gone with red, as well, because he and his newly-dyed blue mane were knocked out in the first final round. Despite finishing 9th today, Huet landed 2nd in the Overall parallel standings.

"I hate not to even make it to the quarter finals," he said about today's race. "I'm glad to be second (in the standings) which is my consolation, but it was too bad that I could not go any further today."

Austria's Felix Stadler finished 4th, after losing to Dejan Kosir from Slovenia in the duel for 3rd place. Stadler was afraid this would knock him from his 3rd place in the standings, but he managed to hold on. "I cannot believe I made it," the Austrian said, "it was really close and I took third place with a margin of only 40 points. I checked the options all night long and I am so glad that this is done, I was hoping for the podium. Now I need to go ahead to make it up for the other races and the Overall."

Richard Richardsson (SWE) took 2nd in today's race and took 4th in the Overall parallel standings.

	Ruby

Isabelle Blanc finished 3rd, completing the double French win in the Parallel World Cup standings, while her strongest rival for the title, Manuela Riegler from Austria, dropped out in the quarterfinals.

"I have felt a lot of pressure in the past weeks," said Blanc, "and I could only relax a bit when Manu did not make it to the semifinals. I would have loved to finish with a win but I am glad that I at least made it to the podium."

Riegler was obviously disappointed. "I was supposed to face Isabelle in the semifinals and was 100 percent sure that I would be able to beat her. I just did not make it there. Now I will try to claim the big globe for the Overall - I really do not want to lose that one, also."

France's Karine Ruby has not been very successful throughout the season, but finally won her first alpine race today and made it to 3rd in the parallel standings. "I am really glad," she said, obviously relieved, "and this will push me through training and on to the start of the next season." Sarah Fischer from Sweden finished 2nd today, landing 20th in the Overall standings.

The Finals continue tomorrow with the deciding snowboard cross race.

—Britta Semmler, MountainZone.com Correspondent