Feller before World Cup comeback: “I’m really happy”

But nothing should stand in the way of the World Cup comeback on Sunday in Zagreb. “I’m really happy that I’m back between the bars,” said the 27-year-old, who suffered a herniated disc in his lumbar spine during giant slalom training in Colorado at the beginning of December. The technology specialist couldn't even think about the following races. With severe pain, he began his journey home to Austria, where he was placed in the hands of specialists.

“In the beginning it was of course very, very difficult. Some have said that now you can enjoy time with the family - that was definitely not the case the first week. But then things went uphill very quickly,” reported Feller. “The therapists and doctors did a very, very good job, I have to say. It is thanks to them and my hard work that things went uphill so quickly.”

Feller worked with great ambition on his return, for which the slalom month of January was initially a vague goal. By Christmas his back was so stable that he was able to “do everything normally with my family in everyday life”. After the holidays, the father of a small son began free skiing, then quickly continued training between the gates at the Reiteralm.

Feller doesn't want to be put under pressure The fact that the comeback is expected to take place in Zagreb on Sunday is not bad timing. “I was definitely always very, very fast,” he said, looking forward to the race on the Croatian capital’s local mountain. “In terms of terrain, it’s not the most difficult, which is perhaps good for my first race again.”

“Of course you shouldn’t expect top performance at the beginning, but for my circumstances, I think I can achieve what I want,” said Feller, who missed the top ten in his first two appearances this World Cup winter. In the opening giant slalom in Sölden, the North Tyrolean came 12th, and in Levi he finished 15th in the slalom.

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Feller before World Cup comeback: “I’m really happy”

Ski racer Manuel Feller didn't want to completely trust his good feeling. “The last few times after skiing there was always a slight muscular tension that arose,” said the Austrian, who was out of action in December due to a herniated disc, after training on Friday in Lienz.

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