The best of the strong ÖSV team is the two-time season winner Manuel Feller, who currently holds the undisputed red jersey of the discipline leader. The Tyrolean won on Sunday in difficult conditions in Adelboden; before that, the 31-year-old had already triumphed at the start of the season in Gurgl.
In the Slalom World Cup, Feller is 65 points ahead of Madonna di Campiglio winner Schwarz, whose season is over after a serious knee injury, and 125 points ahead of third-placed Briton Dave Ryding. For Feller and his trainers there is no arguing about the fact that the small crystal ball would be desirable. “Of course that is a goal,” Pfeifer made clear. “But there are still so many races left. Thats to far away.”
Slalom men celebrate Adelboden success
Despite Marco Schwarz’s bitter failure, there is an exuberant mood in the men’s slalom team. Manuel Feller’s victory and Dominic Raschner’s third place in Adelboden give the team further impetus ahead of the upcoming home races in Schladming and Kitzbühel.
Feller with consistency and the right timing
In January, starting at the end of this week, Wengen, Kitzbühel and Schladming are the first to take place – in terms of prestige, these are the most important races of the year for the pole artists. But then the second half of the season starts with another six competitions until mid-March. So a lot can happen between now and then.
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In addition, things are extremely tight at the top. “There are a few who have the same speed,” emphasized Pfeifer. “But I’m pleased that he has the consistency and that he can time correctly where he gives material and where he doses a little bit. That certainly sets him apart,” said the Carinthian about Feller.
Pfeifer was also extremely pleased that a teammate, Dominik Raschner, joined Feller on the podium in the Bernese Oberland. Not many expected such a strong red-white-red reaction after Black’s failure, for which the slalom clique wore a T-shirt on Sunday with the inscription “Blacky Come back Stronger!” #Team” held up to the cameras.
APA/AFP/Fabrici Coffrini Manuel Feller, Dominik Raschner and the rest of the slalom team wish Marco Schwarz all the best for his recovery
Strolz, Pertl and Gstrein on the rise
And there is even more potential. With Johannes Strolz and Adrian Pertl, Pfeifer has two athletes up his sleeve who first have to work their way back forward step by step, as he explained. “There are good passages, and then passages where the necessary self-confidence is lacking,” said the Carinthian.
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Feller catapults himself to Adelboden victory
In addition, the person who often sets the tone internally in training has not yet “fired up” this season – namely Fabio Gstrein. On Sunday, the Ötztaler didn’t even make it into the second round after a serious mistake. “The ‘Ötzi’ should show what he shows in training,” said Pfeifer. “He is in good shape. Everyone is waiting for it.”
There is room for improvement in giant slalom
The head coach was not satisfied with his men’s performance in the giant slalom on Saturday. Feller and Stefan Brennsteiner, who were on course for a podium, fell far behind in the second round; the best man was Raphael Haaser in 15th place. “It’s a shame, we really didn’t get what we could have gotten,” said Pfeifer. “The skiing is there, we simply have to do it better in Schladming,” he said, referring to the next race in the discipline, which will take place under floodlights on January 23rd in Ennstal, Styria.