Feller after surgery: "It's going in the right direction"

Kitzbühel winner Manuel Feller is doing well. He is eagerly anticipating the ceremony in the "Gamsstadt" (Kitzbühel), when a gondola bearing his name will be launched into orbit. His physical health is also improving.

July 02, 2026

From: apa

The Tyrolean skier ended last season prematurely due to pain resulting from multiple herniated discs, a hernia, and osteitis pubis. Surgery on his back in early March brought relief. "Things are gradually improving; it's already very good in everyday life," Feller explained on Thursday at a media event for the Austrian Ski Federation's WC3 group in Pörtschach. "In training, when I increase the load and intensity, I do notice it for a few days," the 33-year-old admitted.

“But overall, things are moving in the right direction.” At the end of August/beginning of September, he'll be going to Chile for two weeks to train on snow. “I expect to experience one or two setbacks there. But I'm confident that everything will be 100 percent ready for the first slalom.”

Manuel Feller is confident. © AFP / MARCO BERTORELLO

This is also because the Olympic silver medalist in the combined event has just competed in his last World Cup giant slalom and is now focusing entirely on the slalom. "So I'm under no pressure." Family, friends, and his fan club will be present for the "handover" of the gondola. "This success isn't solely my own doing; there's a whole team behind it. It's a reward for all the hard work of the last decade. Even as a little boy, I never would have imagined finishing at the top in the three classic slalom races. Winning the Kitzbühel Chamois is the icing on the cake."

Schwarz will likely forgo slalom.

No decision is expected for Marco Schwarz to pursue slalom skiing, but rather against it. The all-rounder is likely to prioritize things differently next season. The Carinthian skier is still waiting to officially announce his decision. "It's been a long time coming, it's certainly not an easy decision." He still needs to discuss it with partners and sponsors. "I'll officially announce my plans in the fall." He's generally feeling well. "I'm fit and pain-free, knock on wood."

Marco Schwarz will skip the slalom. © APA / BARBARA GINDL

Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV) head coach Marko Pfeifer sees not only the 30-year-old in good shape: "Everyone is in good physical condition." At the end of July and beginning of August, they will head to Zermatt and Saas-Fee in Switzerland for the first on-snow training camps of the pre-season, followed by three to four weeks of overseas training in Chile and Argentina in mid-August. Speed specialist Stefan Eichberger is close to returning to training on snow after suffering a torn cruciate ligament and meniscus in Val Gardena in mid-December. Pfeifer: "We are confident that it will go well."

Felix Monsen, the Swedish speed specialist, is a new addition to the Austrian Ski Federation's (ÖSV) training program. He was accepted into the World Cup 2 after an inquiry. "He'll be integrated and can train with the team," explained Christian Mitter, the sports director. It's a close collaboration; the tenth-place finisher in Kitzbühel has his own coach and serviceman with a customized training plan. "He has good speed. We're pleased that we might be taking a slightly new approach here." In the future, the ÖSV doesn't intend to actively approach skiers, but will consider it "on a case-by-case basis."

Keywords Winter sports Alpine skiing Manuel Feller Marco Black