Even though there were only 1,000 instead of 45,000 fans due to the pandemic, the bear danced under the floodlights of the Schladming Planai. This was less due to the German Nightrace winner Linus Straßer and more to Manuel Feller, who raced from 28th place to the podium with an unleashed second slalom run after suffering from corona.
In the final count of the last race before the Winter Olympics in Beijing, the third-placed Tyrolean was 39 hundredths behind Straßer, who celebrated his third World Cup success, and 36 behind the surprising second from Norway, Atle Lie McGrath.
Feller grew – although visibly weakened – beyond himself. “With all the circumstances, it was incredibly difficult. After the first run, I already thought to myself: this is possible’It’s not, I don’t want to go up there anymore. It was a final with your back against the wall. It’s crazy that it’s going to be like this,” beamed the 29-year-old, who had had an extreme headache during his enforced break. “I’ve never had that in this form before,” reported Feller, who, with this energy performance, won the red and white -red ski honor saved.
At halftime it smelled like a debacle for the ÖSV. In addition to Feller, only Marco Schwarz ended up as a disappointed 17th in the classification, Johannes Strolz, Fabio Gstrein and Dominik Raschner were eliminated in the first round. In the final, the leading Swede Kristoffer Jakobsen, who threaded the third goal, also failed. With that, Straßer’s victory was a done deal. “Incredible and beautiful,” enthused the 29-year-old.
“There’s something for everyone”
Tomorrow Hannes Trinkl will be the first Upper Austrian to fly to Beijing as an Olympic teammate. The 53-year-old from St. Pankraz will be in action for the FIS at the men’s speed competitions in the Xiaohaituo Alpine Center. The descent is still an unknown quantity for Trinkl. Two years ago there was a summer local inspection, otherwise he was only able to familiarize himself with the situation via video. After arriving in China, there isn’t much time to get the slopes in Olympic shape. The first training for the men’s downhill on February 6th will take place in a week’s time.
“The track looks good, at least from a distance. There are difficult corners, some jumps and technical passages. There is something for everyone,” says Trinkl, who has had to upload his health data to the obligatory Olympic app for two weeks. There are also a few tests to “seep into” the Olympic bubble. “Once you’re in there, everything will work without complaint,” the ex-downhill world champion doesn’t expect any organizational problems. Nevertheless, he does not want to stay in China for too long. “As soon as the last driver has crossed the finish line and my job is done, I’ll be there again.”
Source: Nachrichten
