Bongiorno Records Career Best World Cup Result
Published Wed 25 Jan 2023
Alpine Snowboarder Millie Bongiorno has recorded a personal best World Cup result in the parallel slalom event in Bansko, Bulgaria.
In a double event at the Bulgarian resort, Bongiorno finished in 24th place on day one, and improved to personal best result of 19th on day two, just missing out on the top-16 head-to-head finals racing.
Bongiorno said she was incredibly pleased to have overcome the challenging conditions in Bulgaria, and a crash on day one, to secure a career-best result.
“I am so excited to have achieved my best World Cup result so far with a 19th place,” the 25-year-old said.
“This race here in Bansko, Bulgaria, was one of the most challenging I have ever faced. We experienced heavy rain and snow in the days leading up to the race and on race day, and it was an incredibly technical slope and course set.
“I had a lot of mistakes on day one, crashing on the first run, and finishing in 24th place,” she explained.
“I was angry about the crash but rather than getting stuck in my head about it, I channelled all that energy into the second day of racing.
“I was so fired up in the start gate, just bursting with energy, but also laser focused on what my goal was and what I had to do. My first run was a little messy but my second run alone was the 16th fastest time!”
The double header in Bulgaria was Bongiorno’s first World Cup event in ten months, after she had a slower start to the season due to illness. She had a warm-up at the Alleghe European Cup the week before in Italy, placing 12th and 14th, but is excited to see how far she can progress this season with more racing still to come.
“From missing all of preseason from sickness, to coming straight back into a World Cup, with limited time on snow, and being so close to the finals has got me so fired up about the next races,” she said.
“With some more time on snow under my belt I know I’m capable of even stronger results, and I cannot wait to get stuck into it.
“I’m absolutely itching for the next races to see what I’m really made of!
Bongiorno will now continue her preparation ahead of the FIS Snowboard & Freestyle World Championships in Bakuriani, Georgia, where she will compete in the parallel giant slalom on February 19 and the parallel slalom on February 21.
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