Feller leads Braathen in first run of Kitzbuehel slalom
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SR Staff Report
KITZBUEHEL,AUSTRIA,22.JAN.23 – Manuel Feller. Photo: GEPA pictures
KITZBUEHEL, Austria — Manuel Feller posted the fastest opening-run time in a men’s World Cup slalom Sunday, positioning himself to become the first Austrian skier in six years to win the classic race.
After two cloudy days of downhill, it is a beautiful day in Kitzbühel. The slope is every bit as icy as the FIS had promised. When racers fall, they don’t stop until they find the fence. The Ice will test both their ability and equipment.
Austrian Manuel Feller was the first racer on the course. The Austrian did precisely what the crowd wanted; he delivered a strong run that would not be beaten. He would spend the rest of the first run watching from the Audi leader’s chair. Unfortunately, his teammates Johannes Strolz and Marco Schwarz had difficulties that would prevent them from competing in the final run. However, Feller has Austrian company in the top 10, as Adrian Pertl skied well to finish (+1.08) in 10th.
Feller is after his third career win and first in almost two years. His best result in Kitzbuehel was fifth place in 2018, a year after record eight-time overall champion Marcel Hirscher was the last Austrian winner.
Linus Strasser of Germany was 0.50 back in third, while Olympic champion Clément Noël of France had 0.53 to make up in the second run.
The Norwegians are used to having a racer near the top and today is no exception. Lucas Braathen finished in second only (+0.31) behind the Austrian. His best friend, Atle Lie McGrath, went on his hip and slid into the fence and Henrik Kristoffersen couldn’t find his rhythm, winding up (+1.45) slower than the leader. When teammate Timon Haugan skied, it became apparent that the Van Deer skis were not among the best on the sheet ice.
The German Linus Strasser and Swiss Loic Meillard are a half second behind in third and fourth. As the first run progressed, the Swiss seemed to like this ice the best, as both Ramon Zenhaeusern and Daniel Yule joined Meillard are in the top 10. The trio finished the first run in fifth, sixth and seventh. Just outside the top 10 is bib 31, Tanguy Nef, in 11th and bib 39, and Sandro Simonet in 12th.
Five of the first 30 to ski were unable to finish, including USA’s Luke Winters. Jett Seymour also did not finish. Ben Ritchie found his hip on the ground but then stood up and finished. Once again, Canadian Erik Read will be the only North American to qualify for the second run (+2.43) in a tie for 29th place. Read will start first on the second run.
One thing was certain – if a racer skied well, the snow surface offered the racers a good opportunity to compete—eight racers with bibs above 30 qualified for the final. Sam Maes of Belgium was the last to do so with bib 60.
The slalom in Kitzbuehel is the first of three technical races in Austria within four days, with a night slalom on Tuesday and a GS on Wednesday scheduled for Schladming.
Analysis of the fastest three racers, the qualified North American, and the top 30 first-run results
Top 30 first-run results Kitzbühel SL January 22nd
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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