Manuel Feller, Gurgl SL GEPA pictures/Thomas Bachun

When bib 3 Austrian Manuel Feller crossed the finish line with a (-1.40) lead, the crowd went wild, and it was clear the Men’s World Cup 2023-24 season had begun. Feller had openly discussed that at the end of last season, he was struggling to find the motivation to ski. However, on Saturday’s first run, he skied with his trademark freedom and speed and sat on the leader’s throne with a big smile and significant time advantage. It was a beautiful morning in Austria and the hosting country had much to cheer about. Seven Austrians were among the fastest 30 and qualified for the second run.

“It must have been a good run. It didn’t feel that great, I would not have been surprised if I was third,” said Feller, who was not among the fastest starters but posted the best time in the other three sections.

By the end of the first run, Feller led by (-0.94) over French Olympic Champion Clement Noel. Only (+0.05) behind Noel in third was another Austrian who sent the crowd into a frenzy, Fabio Gstrein. After the first 15 racers had completed their morning runs, Austrians had three skiers among the fastest five, with Marco Scharz tied with the young Norwegian star Alexander Steen Olsen in fifth. First-run indications were clear: the Austrian slalom team is back. Also among the fastest five times was Swiss star Loic Meilard, 4th, only (+0.16) behind second but trailing Feller by (+1.10).

Switzerland has six qualified for the afternoon finale, 3 of them among the morning’s fastest ten.

As expected, the skiing offered by the men was fast, athletic and exciting. As has become customary, the weather fought the surface preparation of the course crew. And although they used considerable water, the surface was grippy and had some new snow in the mix. As the run progressed, the snow grooved, increasing the morning’s challenge for higher bibs. However, seven racers with bibs over 30 could qualify for the afternoon run. The racer with the highest bib to do so was Austrian Simon Rueland. With bib 52, he finished 30th (+3.41). The fastest of the seven was bib 50, Austrian Dominik Raschner 22nd, (+2.83)

Notably, all three British slalom skiers were among the morning’s fastest 30 and will compete in the afternoon’s competition. This result matched their December 2022 performance in Madonna di Campiglio.

Unfortunately, none of the seven North Americans participating could qualify for the afternoon finale. USA’s Luke Winters came the closest in 33rd, missing the qualifying mark by only (+0.23). Five were unable to finish their runs. However, Ski Racing Media celebrates the first career World Cup of USA’s Jimmy Krupka; we hope to see many more.

While he could not deliver his usual high level of performance, it was great to see the return of the recovering Atle Lie McGrath, the born-in-US skier for Norway. There is no doubt he will offer his best soon.

First run top 30 results and Analysis of the fastest three

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Analysis of the fastest three