Manuel Feller has little desire for excitement in the season finale. © APA / ERWIN SCHERIAU

Feller doesn't want to tremble: "The sooner it's over, the better"

Manuel Feller could crown his successful season early in the Rocky Mountains of Aspen. The previously unfinished man longs for a decision in the slalom shot race.

March 02, 2024

From: apa/sn

“The sooner it's over, the better.” What has been shown this season gives the North Tyrolean momentum and confidence that he can actually cross the finish line with a lead of 204 points with three slaloms remaining. His victory could be guaranteed as early as Sunday (17 p.m. and 20 p.m.).

Feller would love to leave the constant mental stress behind in the USA. “With jet lag and changing snow conditions it becomes difficult. You know you always have to be focused.” But he’s managed it well so far. “And I will be able to do that in the next races. It would be nice if you could run one or two races freely. I've never had a situation like this before." The small slalom crystal ball would be the biggest success of his sporting career alongside silver at the 2017 World Championships in the slalom. Something even bigger seems hardly possible for the Tyrolean in the World Cup, especially for Feller, whose body is long older than the 31-year-old owner.

Manuel Feller celebrated 4 victories this season – including one in Adelboden. © APA/afp / FABRICE COFFRINI

The pimple-hard ice slopes wore out his back; it took time and routine to find the right mix between competitiveness and regeneration. Feller celebrated four victories (Gurgl, Adelboden, Wengen, Palisades Tahoe) in 2023/24, and in the eight races he was never worse than fifth. In theory, only three runners can still steal the slalom ball from Feller: Straßer, Clement Noel and the Norwegian Timon Haugan. The German Straßer is 204 points behind, the Frenchman Noel 238, Haugan already 280.