ÖSV head coach Pfeifer

“US races are great advertising for skiing”

ÖSV men's head coach Marko Pfeifer(Bild: GEPA pictures)

After the race weekend in Palisades Tahoe, men's head coach Marko Pfeifer treats himself to a day off as a tourist in San Francisco. Now the technical triple in Aspen is on the agenda again - in the run-up, the Carinthian spoke to the "Krone" about the US trip, Manuel Feller and the remaining goals for the season.

"Krone": Marko, last year you were highly critical of the US organizers, how are the venues this year?
Marko Pfeifer: My criticism last year was directed specifically at the condition of the ski areas and the slope preparation. In Palisades Tahoe, this has absolutely improved this year. The slope preparation was also perfect - although the organizers were of course also luckier with the weather this year. The atmosphere was good, the crowd really cool. Maybe we can run the second run an hour earlier - then I think the US races would be great advertising for skiing when we have primetime races in Europe.

Does a US block make sense at this point in the season?
Last year, both the speed and technical teams flew over for one race weekend each, which is not profitable in terms of effort and costs. But if we have two technical weekends like this year, it makes much more sense. We receive a financial subsidy from the FIS, which helps us a lot. And especially in February, when the ski season is slowly coming to an end, races in prime time TV are perfect advertising - the skiers see it that way too.

FIS Head of Racing Markus Waldner.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

But then there shouldn't be any more technical races around the US block, should there?
Of course there shouldn't be, the plan is a disaster. If we fly to the USA for two weeks with the technicians, there have to be speed weekends before and after. It doesn't make sense for all sides, there's no balance. The skiers got together in Kvitfjell and made this clear. Race director Markus Waldner also wants things to be different in the future, now the FIS president just has to see it that way too.

In sporting terms, the start to the US tour was very successful for you ...
 I was particularly pleased with the performances in the giant slalom, with three in the top ten. Especially Lukas Feurstein, who hasn't trained much in giant slalom but is one of our hottest prospects for the future. Raphael Haaser is also getting better and better in the giant slalom, plus a fast Joshua Sturm - there are a few who are following and can get into the front. That's very positive, we're looking at the next generation - now we have to build on that in Aspen.

His second run in Palisades Tahoe was an absolute highlight for me, he did it like a real champion.

Marko Pfeifer über Slalom-Ass Manuel Feller

And Manuel Feller was once again in a class of his own in the slalom ...
 His second run was an absolute highlight for me, he did it like a real champion. Manu currently has enormous self-confidence, knows exactly where he can attack during the run and where he has to ski with his brain - he has a great feel for that this year. But I'm almost more fascinated by what he's been doing in the giant slalom for months. Without a training day, he's regularly among the best in the world - that's brilliant.

Manuel Feller carves his way towards the slalom crystal.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The slalom crystal would not only be the crowning glory for him, but also for your season, wouldn't it?
With this density, every crystal is very valuable - if Manu wins it, it would be absolutely deserved and a highlight for all of us. Considering that we lost Marco Schwarz and Daniel Hemetsberger early on, the season is very satisfying: we have seven different podium racers - so we have nothing to hide. It may have been difficult in the downhill this year, but I'm optimistic there too - things are clearly moving forward in the European Cup. Now we want to get the slalom globe, achieve good individual results and have a cool final in Saalbach. Then I think we can go into the summer with a good feeling.