This weekend sees the conclusion of the FIS World Cup season in Italy.

A total of 28 ski and snowboard competitions are on the schedule at three different venues to find out who will be the new World Cup winner in each discipline.

The final contests of the Nokia Snowboard FIS World Cup will take place in Valmalenco from March 13 to 16.

Although Stefan Gimpl (AUT) and Nicolien Sauerbreij (NED) have already secured the first titles in the Big Air discipline and the Parallel World Cup, five more decision are still to come.

On Thursday, the all-rounders are getting ready to crown their 2007/2008 season’s best in the snowboardcross. On the ladies’ side, Canada’s Maelle Ricker currently sits on the top spot of the rankings with 5.850 points. Only 150 points behind is reigning World Champion Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) as runner-up. Mellie Francon who is the secured third ranked rider will not be able to intervene the duel for the Crystal Globe.

On the men’s side, Pierre Vaultier (4.380) took over the World Cup lead after triumphing at Stoneham last weekend. But as the Frenchman had missed the race in Leysin he will get one throwaway result after the competition in Valmalenco therefore leaving an open door for Stian Sivertzen (NOR), who follows as second of the table with 3.940 points. In addition, also Mario Fuchs (AUT, 3.390) has got theoretical chances to win the title having collected 3.390 points after eight races so far.

On Friday it’s ‘only’ about the on-the-day victory and the question who will finish second and third in the Big Air World Cup. Matevz Petek (SLO) and Finnish riders Petja and Peetu Piiroinen as well as Janne Korpi are the main favourites.

In the halfpipe, there is also one main battle coming up on Sunday when reigning World Champion Manuela Laura Pesko (SUI, 3.700) will try to defend her lead of 250 points against Jiayu Liu (CHN, 3.450). The third spot could be secured by many riders like for example Anne Sophie Pellissier (FRA, 2.260), Chen ZU (CHN, 2.180) and Queralt Castellet (ESP, 2.170).

On the men’s side, Iouri Podladtchikov (SUI, 2.900) is currently first ahead of Gregory Bretz (USA, 2.620), Jeff Batchelor (CAN, 2.250), Ryoh Aono (JPN, 2.036) and Janne Korpi (FIN, 2.020).

Time schedule Valmalenco, Italy:

Thursday, March 13     Snowboard Cross                     Qualification                      at 09:00
                                                                                      Finals                               at 13:30

Friday, March 14          Big Air                                    Qualification                          at 09:15
                                                                                    Finals                                  at 13:30

Sunday, March 16         Halfpipe                                  Qualification                        at 08:25
                                                                                    Finals                                  at 14:30