In a stunning display of skill and speed, Austrian skier Manuel Feller triumphed in the World Cup slalom event at Adelboden, edging out the Norwegian team by a razor-thin margin of 0.02 seconds. This victory not only marked a personal achievement for Feller but also extended Austria’s dominant, undefeated streak in the slalom discipline for the current season.
Feller, known for his charismatic presence and distinctive mustache and beard, showcased an impressive comeback from being fifth after the first run. His performance outpaced Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath and Alexander Steen Olsen, with the latter, the initial run leader, experiencing a fall early in his second run. This turn of events shifted the dynamics of the race, paving the way for Feller’s dramatic win.
Adding to Austria’s celebration, Feller’s teammate Dominik Raschner secured a commendable third place. Starting with a low-ranked bib number 35 and only the 16th fastest in the morning run, Raschner’s performance was a remarkable rise through the ranks. His success mirrored that of American skier AJ Hurt in the women’s slalom event in Slovenia, where she also made a significant leap from 16th to third place.
The competition was fierce and friendly, as evidenced by the good sportsmanship displayed between Feller and McGrath. McGrath, who finished in second place, had a similar experience in the previous year’s event at Adelboden, where he was narrowly beaten by teammate Lucas Braathen. Braathen is currently sitting out the season due to a dispute over individual commercial rights, his absence marked by a supportive banner in the crowd.
Austria’s triumph in the slalom events this season has been consistent, with Feller’s victory at Gurgl and Marco Schwarz’s win at Madonna di Campiglio preceding this latest success. Feller’s victory at Adelboden marks his fifth career World Cup win, all in slalom, catapulting him to the top of the season-long discipline standings. This achievement is particularly noteworthy given Schwarz’s season-ending crash in downhill last month, a situation Feller and Raschner acknowledged by displaying a supportive message for their teammate during the post-race ceremony.
The race was conducted under challenging conditions, with the fog that had affected visibility during the previous day’s giant slalom still lingering. This added an extra layer of difficulty for the competitors, including Olympic champion Clément Noël, who failed to complete the first run.
Looking ahead, the men’s slalom racers are set to face a busy mid-season schedule with upcoming events in renowned venues like Wengen in Switzerland and Kitzbühel and Schladming in Austria. These races promise to be as thrilling as Adelboden, showcasing the best of the world’s skiing talent.
