In spite of the lack of snow, Austria’s ski technicians trained well on local glaciers this week. In the Mölltal it came to the first season comparison between Marcel Hirscher and Manuel Feller. The fact that the World Cup star spoke of an “impending generation change” was acknowledged with a smile by Feller. “We will do everything we can to be annoying next winter,” said the Tyrolean.
The former junior world champion in slalom has established himself in the world elite despite continuing back problems like Michael Matt and Marco Schwarz and is even stronger in giant slalom at times. Last winter he had to learn the hard way with the painful “Highsider” in Adelboden and the whiplash at the Olympics, but his back is better than ever. “But I say that every summer anyway,” joked the 25-year-old from Fieberbrunn.
Double Olympic champion Hirscher had named his team mates Feller, Schwarz and slalom Olympic bronze medallist Matt as co-favorites before the season began. This strong slalom trio of head coach Marko Pfeifer, who won team silver at the Olympic Games together with three ÖSV ladies, is indeed on the advance. The latest progress: In the World Cup winter, everyone now has their own personal service technician.
The two Atomic pilots Feller and Schwarz had last shared Robert Bürgler (formerly with Benjamin Raich). Now Richard Weißenbacher, the former edge grinder from Eva-Maria Brem, is optimizing Fellers skis. Schwarz relies in future on the previous ski waxer of US superstar Mikaela Shiffrin, Kim Erlandsson. Rossignol driver Matt will continue to be looked after by Michael Wildauer. “This is a giant step forward. You are more flexible and can give more detail,” Pfeifer welcomed.
It’s no wonder that his top trio are starting confidently into the WRC winter. Above all, because overall things are going “better than expected” (Feller). While superstar Hirscher stayed on domestic glaciers, Feller and Co. practiced in perfect conditions and on aggressive winter snow in New Zealand. “We made a lot of progress there in the three weeks,” says Feller.
The new individual care had already proved its worth there. “50 to 80 percent are based on the material,” Feller is convinced. “With one service man per athlete, you can get a lot more in three weeks,” he enthused about his experiences in New Zealand. The Constance, Feller’s weakness, was also honed. “I only had one failure in the slalom. In giant slalom three, two of them due to fog and for safety reasons”, stressed Feller, who currently feels even better in giant slalom. “If you take it black on white, I’m faster there.”
Feller wrestles a smile from the fact that Hirscher had announced a generation change. “We will push each other and try to make this change. But as long as Marcel is at the start, he is the one to beat”, Feller is convinced. “Marcel just wants to take a little pressure in the fall. But the only way to victory is through him.” He had agreed with the man from Salzburg: “Once he has to let me pass, then he can stop for all I care.”
Matt also hopes to be able to take another step next winter. “It’s been a season of ups and downs. All in all, however, I have confirmed that I have reached the top of the world”, the youngest Matt-Bruder is convinced. The usual suspicions are to be beaten further and Hirscher will be difficult to bend despite marriage and fatherhood.
“He has so much experience that he will seamlessly follow his achievements,” the Arlberg believes. “If you have as much routine as he has in your head, there’s not much that can upset you.” Matt also trained giant slalom in New Zealand. “I don’t want to train the whole summer for only eleven races,” he explained the search for the second mainstay. “Besides, you’ll have double the attendance time for the sponsors.”
The greatest concern of skiers at the moment is the precarious snow situation on the glaciers. In the Mölltal there is currently no tourist skiing possible, for Hirscher and Feller only slalom training was possible. Nevertheless, next week the whole Pfeifer group with Hirscher will practice there. “We hope for snow and colder temperatures,” says Pfeifer. Otherwise you might be forced to move abroad.