From Sigulda, LAT
(January 31, 2025) – Jonas Frei put in one of the commanding performances that’s been seen on the Para Sport World Cup this season, sliding to a .28 second victory over Hermann Ellmauer and Arturs Klots.
Frei took the lead in the first heat from the third starting spot and held it for the remainder of the heat. Behind him, both Ellmauer and Klots tied after one run, with a handful of sliders packed within .27 behind the leader.
USA’s Robert Balk put in a strong run in the second heat and took the lead, which he held past Christopher Stewart, Corie Mapp, and Flavio Menardi. It wasn’t until the runs of Ellmauer and Klots did Balk drop back, falling to third with one to go.
Both Klots and Ellmauer once again had matching run in the second heat to give the duo the tie for the lead with just Frei to go.
Frei’s second run was nearly as quick as his first, and was the quickest of the heat on his way to victory over the Austrian and Latvian.
The win for Frei was his first on the season and sixth of his career. The silvers for Klots and Ellmauer were their fourth each.
Balk finished fourth, .21 out of the medals. Stewart was fifth, and Menardi sixth.
The United States once again put two sleds in the top ten with Guillermo Castillo finishing seventh, just ahead of Great Britain’s Corie Mapp, who maintained his point lead despite finishing eighth.
Austin Parker, Doc Jacobs, and Dan Rizzieri were 13th to 15th, respectively.
Results:
| Pos | Name | Nation | Bib | Start 1 | Start 2 | Run 1 | Run 2 | Finish |
| 1 | Jonas Frei | SUI | 3 | 1.57 | 1.58 | 45.00 | 45.11 | 1:30.11 |
| 2 | Hermann Ellmauer | AUT | 11 | 1.57 | 1.59 | 45.17 | 45.22 | 1:30.39 |
| 2 | Arturs Klots | LAT | 13 | 1.58 | 1.58 | 45.17 | 45.22 | 1:30.39 |
| 4 | Robert Balk | USA | 4 | 1.57 | 1.58 | 45.27 | 45.33 | 1:30.60 |
| 5 | Christopher Stewart | SUI | 16 | 1.58 | 1.58 | 45.20 | 45.41 | 1:30.61 |
| 6 | Flavio Menardi | ITA | 6 | 1.58 | 1.59 | 45.19 | 45.48 | 1:30.67 |
| 7 | Guillermo Castillo | USA | 1 | 1.58 | 1.58 | 45.37 | 45.41 | 1:30.78 |
| 8 | Corie Mapp | GBR | 12 | 1.58 | 1.59 | 45.19 | 45.66 | 1:30.85 |
| 9 | David Jennewein | ITA | 10 | 1.59 | 1.59 | 45.41 | 45.62 | 1:31.03 |
| 10 | Israel Blanco | ESP | 8 | 1.58 | 1.58 | 45.27 | 45.78 | 1:31.05 |
| 11 | Fabrizio Caselli | ITA | 15 | 1.58 | 1.59 | 45.40 | 45.69 | 1:31.09 |
| 12 | Gabriela Knapvoa | CZE | 9 | 1.57 | 1.57 | 46.00 | 45.81 | 1:31.81 |
| 13 | Austin Parker | USA | 14 | 1.58 | 1.58 | 45.72 | 46.10 | 1:31.82 |
| 14 | Doc Jacobs | USA | 5 | 1.57 | 1.57 | 45.67 | 46.48 | 1:32.15 |
| 15 | Dan Rizzieri | USA | 2 | 1.57 | 1.59 | 45.96 | 47.28 | 1:33.24 |
| 16 | Sebastien Westin | SWE | 7 | 1.57 |