By Nick Butler

Ester Ledecka of the Czech Republic won the World Cup event in Bad Gastein ©Getty ImagesCzech Republic's Ester Ledecká continued her superb World Cup form by winning the International Ski Federation parallel slalom snowboard event in Bad Glastein, Austria, while Olympic silver medallist Žan Košir took the men's honours.


The Austrian leg, the third stop on this year's tour, saw 100 of the world's best boarders compete in good conditions under a cloudy sky, and it was Ledecká, the winner of the overall World Cup series last season, who capitalised the most.  

She was 0.62 seconds faster than Switzerland's reigning Olympic champion Patrizia Kummer in the women's final, while Julie Zogg of Switzerland defeated Selina Joerg of Germany in the battle for bronze.

"It was a perfect race for me," said the 19-year-old winner, who has now claimed four podium finishes in 14 World Cup starts.

"I chose the red course in the finals which was the right choice I guess, although there wasn't so much of [a] difference between the courses.

"It's a great confidence boost for the World Champs, too."

Slovenian star Žan Košir, meanwhile, was similarly dominant in repeating the strong form he has shown throughout the season so far. 

Slovenian Zan Kosir continued the success that saw him win an Olympic silver medal at Sochi 2014 ©AFP/Getty ImagesSlovenian Zan Kosir continued the success that saw him win an Olympic silver medal at Sochi 2014 ©AFP/Getty Images



The 30-year-old, who won an Olympic parallel giant slalom bronze in addition to parallel slalom silver, beat Christoph Mick of Italy by 0.23 seconds in the final this time around.

Patrick Bussler of Germany defeated Russia's Andrey Sobolev to take third.

Košir now leads the overall standings with 1,800 points, 440 clear of Roland Fischnaller of Italy, while Sabine Schoeffmann of Austria leads Ledecka and Kummer in the women's standings.

The next major test for the world's best comes next week when the Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships open in Kreischberg, Austria.

They are set to last from January 15 to 25.

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