Feller's big dream

“It’s addictive, I’m hungry for more!”

Manue Feller

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Slalom globe winner Manuel Feller is looking forward to the "cheesiest moment of my career" - and dreams of a World Championship medal in a year's time: "I'm definitely not done yet, I'm hungry for more. The emotion at the finish line after a success - it's addictive!"

"Krone" :Have you digested the frustration of winning crystal on the sofa and not in a finish area?
Manuel Feller: You can't call it frustration. It was just all very far away, with little emotion attached to it. I didn't celebrate at all because the feeling wasn't there. It would have been nicer with the team.

Slalom World Cup winner Manuel Feller (left) in conversation with Georg Fraisl before today's final giant slalom.

(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

Not celebrating at all? That doesn't sound like you ...
I was in full Kranjska Gora mode, looked at my cell phone - and that was it. I drank two beers - and I had to go to the supermarket to get them.

Is the slalom globe also a kind of satisfaction in a way?
Definitely. It's the biggest success of my career so far, no question. Being the best slalom racer of the season means a lot to me. What's more, with four wins, which was last achieved by Marcel Hirscher (note: five wins in 2018/19). The globe is a reward for a lot of hard work and for always getting back up.

Just like last summer, right?
Yes. I had thought about taking a year off because I felt the effects of the crash at the World Championships until August. But then came the extremely good Chile course - and I found the joy of skiing again. As a result, I skied more days in preparation than ever before. Certainly one reason for my stability this winter. Together with the big step we made in the equipment sector.

But back pain has also haunted you this winter.
I will have certain problems for the rest of my life. But it was the first season of my career in which nothing else happened. I know that my nerve will give out at some point - I can deal with that. It's been like that since my first slipped disc eleven years ago and it's going to stay that way.

You're currently second in the overall World Cup - do you want to stay on the podium?
Second in the overall World Cup - if you can say that, it's something nice, no question. I want to complete two more good races - and then I'll keep this position.

Next year, the World Championships will take place here in Saalbach. How hungry are you for success?
Very hungry, definitely. I see these two races in the final as a dress rehearsal for the World Championships. In recent years, many people have often said: now he's finished, the Feller, now it's over with him. But it's over when I say it's over. And I'm definitely not done yet, I'm hungry for more. The emotion at the finish line after a success - it's addictive! And there's nothing better than standing on the podium at a World Championship at home.

That would almost be cheesy.
It's also cheesy to receive the crystal ball at a 'final dahoam'. In front of all your friends and acquaintances.

Half of Fieberbrunn is traveling to the "neighboring town" of Saalbach for the slalom on Sunday?
Well, half of Fieberbrunn, but it's definitely two buses. Unbelievable, one of the cheesiest moments there is. And I also want to show the people in the race why I'm holding this glass cup.