Feller Triumphs in Kitzbühel Slalom, Ending Drought
In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Manuel Feller triumphed in the Kitzbühel slalom, concluding a lengthy victory drought. The 33-year-old Austrian skier surged from fourth place after the first run to secure victory during the Hahnenkammrennen, clocking a total time of 1 minute and 40.60 seconds.
Feller’s Remarkable Comeback
Feller edged out Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard by 0.35 seconds, while Germany’s Linus Strasser finished third, 0.53 seconds behind. This win marks Feller’s first World Cup victory since March 2023 and his first-ever win in Kitzbühel after eleven attempts. His performance notably broke a nine-year drought for Austrian men in this event, last won by Marcel Hirscher in 2017.
An Emotional Victory
Feller expressed immense joy, stating, “I attacked and tried to move well. That was the right recipe for today.” The event, featuring a challenging course at Ganslernhang, eliminated several pre-race favorites, heightening the stakes for competitors.
- Feller began the second run trailing Meillard by 0.48 seconds.
- He executed a stunning final run, demonstrating speed and technical skill.
- Meillard struggled in the second run, finishing with the seventeenth-fastest time.
Feller’s thrilling finish secured him the coveted golden chamois trophy, a testament to his skill on one of skiing’s most prestigious stages. “After that, I had to push 120 percent,” he admitted about his final run.
Podium Highlights
Strasser’s impressive comeback from tenth place highlights the competitiveness of the race. He earned his spot on the podium with the second-fastest time in the final run. Meanwhile, past winners like Clément Noël and Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen faced challenges throughout the race.
Implications for the Austrian Team
This victory for Feller brings significant momentum to Austria’s slalom program as they prepare for the upcoming Milano Cortina Olympics. Other Austrian skiers showed promise, with Johannes Strolz making a notable climb from twenty-ninth to fifteenth and Fabio Gstrein gaining eleven positions to finish eleventh.
The projected slalom roster appears to include Feller, Michael Matt, and Gstrein, with Marco Schwarz’s qualification still pending. As the Hahnenkammrennen wrapped up, Feller’s win celebrated a much-awaited achievement for Austria’s skiing community.
With the unforgettable atmosphere of Kitzbühel resonating through its historic slopes, Feller’s victory becomes more than just a win; it symbolizes resilience and a triumphant homecoming after a challenging season.
