Manuel Feller comes to Kitzbühel as slalom king

While Austria’s alpine speed men are still waiting for the first podium place after five downhill runs this season, the slalom aces are holding up the red-white-red flag. And how! After four races, there are four wins and seven placings in the top three. Manuel Feller outshines everything.

The 31-year-old Tyrolean travels to Kitzbühel as the slalom king with three victories and the red jersey of the leader in the discipline rankings, where the big coup in front of the home crowd is supposed to be achieved on Sunday on the Ganslernhang.

Feller, who had previously triumphed in Gurgl and Adelboden, was also unbeatable in Wengen. The father of two (son Lio/4, daughter Laila/2) kept the upper hand in front of the two Norwegians Atle Lie McGrath (+0.10) and Henrik Kris-toffersen (+0.21). “It’s overwhelming. I went all in again – and it was absolutely worth it,” said the veteran about his courageous journeys.

“A gift from me”

McGrath can live with the role of crown prince, as he is a registered member of the Manuel Feller fan club. “Like in Adelboden, that was a gift from me to Manu. I think he can return the favor in Kitzbühel,” said the 23-year-old with a smile on his lips.

McGrath had led after the first round and was surprised afterwards, especially since he had had a sleepless night. This was due to the serious accident of his friend and compatriot Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, who crashed into the safety net on the Lauberhorn run on Saturday in the same place where the Austrian Gernot Reinstadler had a fatal accident in 1992. Something like that leaves deep traces.

Nevertheless, the ski circus moves on – to Gamsstadt. The finger-crossers are particularly active there, and the list of celebrities is traditionally long. Also because there are lots of side events like the Weißwurst party at Stanglwirt, Rosi’s Schnitzel party or the A1 Kitznight.

Feller won’t be seen here or there, his focus is solely on the race on Sunday. “I know that it will be very difficult at home. Now I have put a lot of pressure on myself, after the victories a lot is expected of me,” says the Fieberbrunner.

Regular guest at Stanglwirt

He seems to be assured of the support of the “Terminator”. Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger, who stays at the Stanglwirt year in and year out, is inviting people to his climate charity auction on Thursday. The 76-year-old former governor is expected alongside girlfriend Heather Milligan. Up for auction is a living room concert by “The BossHoss”, a training session with Schwarzenegger himself or a watch from Audemars Piguet, which is limited to 20 pieces worldwide.

Melissa Naschenweng, Sebastian Vettel, Gerhard Berger and Didier Cuche will strap on their boards for mountain farming families in need on the finish slope.