Decision approaching ...

Manuel Feller: “It’s a horrible feeling”

Decision missed! Manuel Feller must continue to tremble for Kristall.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The race for the slalom crystal is getting to Manuel Feller. The Tyrolean still needs an eighth place - or the threat of cancellation in Kranjska Gora ...

After the slalom, the ÖSV entourage rushed to the airport, flew from Aspen to Denver as planned despite the forecast storm, then on to Munich. Almost 14 hours of flying time, during which Manuel Feller had plenty of time to think. Although the arithmetic in the slalom World Cup has been a "constant strain on the skull for months": "It's a horrible feeling to stand at the start like that, you get all kinds of conditions."

Pfeifer remains relaxed
But fifth place in Aspen - he also finished in the top five in the ninth slalom of the season - was not enough for the early crystal crown, the exhausting calculation continues. Head coach Marko Pfeifer remains cool: "It's not a foregone conclusion, the others are also skiing very well - Manu still has a comfortable lead."

Linus Straßer wants to snatch the ball away from Feller.(Bild: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

With two races to go, Feller is a whopping 169 points ahead of Linus Straßer, one eighth place is still missing. "On paper, it's still possible - he can't miss out completely," winked Straßer.

Today it will be decided whether they can race in Kranjska Gora.(Bild: Webcam/Kranjska Gora)

Feller is relaxed: "Now we have to get over the jet lag well and then attack." If he has to. Because there is a question mark over the slalom in Kranjska Gora - the warm weather is "eating up" the snow, the Podkoren World Cup slope is a white-brownish ribbon in the middle of a green landscape. The Slovenians are fighting vehemently, sticking to their plan. But whether they can actually ski will probably be decided today - if not, Feller will get crystal from the couch!