Ramona Hofmeister continues to turn heads as she heads to the World Championships following a thrilling weekend at the World Cup events held in Winterberg, Germany. The 28-year-old snowboarder narrowly missed out on victory during the Parallel Slalom on March 15, 2025, finishing second just 0.05 seconds behind Austria's Sabine Payer. Despite the disappointment of not clinching first place, Hofmeister expressed her satisfaction with her performance.
"I am completely satisfied," Hofmeister said during the post-competition interviews. "To stand on the podium at the season finale before my home crowd is incredibly fulfilling! It was an exciting fight, and I'm not disappointed at all." This marks her eighth podium finish of the winter season, fueling optimism as the snowboard star prepares for the championships.
The following day, March 16, Hofmeister showcased her talent during the Team Parallel Giant Slalom with teammate Elias Huber. Together, they clinched victory against their compatriots Cheyenne Loch and Stefan Baumeister, marking the final World Cup event before the upcoming World Championships. "That holds great significance; it was really fun to race with Elias and stand alongside our teammates during the grand final," Hofmeister stated, radiantly expressing her joy after the win.
Hofmeister's impressive performances remind fans of her dominance over the last season, where she won overall standings and individual titles—an impressive feat she aims to achieve again on the world stage. At the World Championships, starting March 20, 2025, in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Hofmeister enters as one of the top favorites. "This gives me a massive boost of motivation for the World Championships," she added, eager to prove her mettle.
The World Championships promise excitement, with Hofmeister being one of the few competitors expected to excel across various events, including Parallel Slalom and Parallel Giant Slalom, as well as the team competition. Chefcoach Paul Marks reinforced the team's intent to compete for gold across all races, stating, "We want to show what we can do before the home crowd."
The first WM decision will be confirmed shortly with the Parallel Giant Slalom. With Hofmeister's formidable ability to quickly regain momentum and compete at her best, many are anticipating significant results.
Hofmeister's ascent has also inspired her teammate Cheyenne Loch, who narrowly exited the individual competition against Claudia Riegler, and hoped to achieve greater success with the team. "This weekend was electric, and we are all eager to bring our A-game to the World Championships," Loch emphasized.
Despite minor setbacks during individual events, Hofmeister's performance has reinvigorated the German team spirit. The World Cup held immense importance, as it served as both preparation and motivation for the upcoming major competition. German Snowboard Germany's president, Professor Michael Hölz, noted, "We are eager to achieve good results at the home World Cup, also as preparation for the WM next week."
With the spotlight now firmly planted on the World Championships, Hofmeister and her teammates hope to carry their momentum from the Winterberg events to St. Moritz, aiming for podium finishes and gold medals. The upcoming week promises excitement, and fans across Germany are optimistic about the team's chances based on recent performances.