English and Canadian flags waved proudly in the arrival area of San Zan, in the Socrepes locality of Cortina d’Ampezzo, bustling with fans and enthusiasts.
Saturday’s March 9th the final was truly remarkable, taking place at night thanks to the initiative of the Snowboard Club Cortina and Cortina ISTA Ski Area, who have always opted for this schedule, with the track illuminated at the foot of the Tofane mountains in an extremely picturesque landscape.

In the women’s event, English rider Charlotte Bankes emerged victorious, followed by Eva Adamczykova (CZE) in second place, and Italian Michela Moioli taking third, marking her fortieth career podium. On a short and fast track like today’s, overtaking was challenging, but the athletes delivered impressive comebacks: for instance, in the quarterfinals, Michela Moioli finished in a photo finish, diving towards the finish line with the hope (later realized) of securing a spot in the finals.

The men’s competition was no less thrilling, with Canadian Eliot Grondin dominating San Zan in the Big Finals, followed by American Jake Vedder (again second here in Cortina) and Australian Jarryd Hughes in third. Italian Omar Visintin missed the Big Finals, finishing in sixth place, despite defeating Olympic champion Haemmerle in the quarterfinals.

All athletes were awarded with the special Squirrel trophy, a symbol of Cortina, crafted by students from the woodwork classes of the local Artistic High School, under the guidance of Professor Italo Pradella.

The next season promises more excitement, with the parallel giant slalom at Faloria and the snowboard cross at Socrepes set for nighttime events.