Feurstein Surprises by Finishing Third in Super-G in Odermatt Victory

Feurstein Claims Surprise Super-G Bronze in Beaver Creek

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Lukas Feurstein delivered a stunning performance, securing third place in the thrilling first Super-G event of the new World Cup season held in Beaver Creek. The 23-year-old Austrian phenom, known for his mastery of giant slalom, embraced the technical challenge of the demanding slope, finishing a mere 47/100th of a second behind two speed specialists. Marco Odermatt, Switzerland’s reigning world champion, claimed his first victory of the season and his third Super-G triumph in Beaver Creek, while Cypress Sarrazin, his French rival, took the silver medal, clocking in just 0.18 seconds behind. feurstein’s landmark achievement marked a premiere for both the athlete and Austrian men’s skiing in the fifth competition of the World Cup winter.

Starting from the 24th position, Feurstein strategically weaved through the course, expertly navigating the challenging twists and turns. This podium finish placed him among renowned giant slalom experts, prompting him to surpass fellow Austrian Vincent Kriechmayr (+0.81), who later dropped to sixth position. Young talents Daniel Danklmaier and Stefan Eichberger also showcased their prowess, securing spots in the top 15 after 50 skiers delighted the crowd. Unfortunately, Daniel Hemetsberger’s bid for a top position was foiled by a mistake entering the final section. Raphael Haaser and Stefan Babinsky were eliminated from the competition.

“It’s a Technically Demanding Course, That’s Where I Shine” Says Feurstein

Feurstein attributed his success to his comfort with technically demanding courses. “It’s a technically demanding route, I come from giant slalom. I feel comfortable when it gets difficult and you have to attack,” he expressed in a post-race interview. He expanded on his skillset, stating, “We’ve found a good way for me to ski pain-free. That’s never been the case in the last four or five years. I feel fit, it feels really good.” Feurstein had added Super-G to his repertoire in the 2022/23 season, achieving a sixth-place finish in Cortina d’Ampezzo in January during only his third Super-G race – an outlier, even with his history of injuries.

A nail-biting experience took hold as Feurstein awaited the final results, witnessing his age-mate competitors, Fredrik Moeller of Norway and Giovanni Franzoni from Italy, advance to a shared fourth place (+0.60), a mere blink of an eye separating them from Feurstein’s bronze-medal position.

Odermatt Cruises to Victory

While Feurstein celebrated his breakthrough, Odermatt reveled in his third Super-G win in Beaver Creek, his 38th World Cup victory overall. “I love the Super-G here,” Odermatt shared enthusiastically. “It’s the most technical Super-G, as a giant slalom skier you certainly have the best chance of a good result here. You have to step on the gas and still drive smart.”

The Swiss racer explained how his experience helped him conquer the demanding course. “I know two or three sections that have to be done a specific way, otherwise you lose a lot of time,” he added. Coach Reto Nydegger masterfully crafted a course that demanded both technical precision and daring speed.

The challenging run reverberated throughout the event, leading to early eliminations. Five of the first seven skiers fell victim to its unforgiving nature, including Raphael Haaser who held the fastest time at the upper part of the course. Numerous riders struggled with direction entering a blind portion of the course nicknamed “Screech Owl.”

Kriechmayr Seeks Redemption

Vincent Kriechmayr, a favorite in the competition, exhibited a controlled drive, lacking the aggressive spirit of Odermatt and Sarrazin. He reflected on his performance, citing, “I slowed down too much and sweated way too much,” referencing a tactical shift after witnessing numerous early casualties. He confessed, “I should have stayed true to what I set out to do.”

Kriechmayr will look to bounce back in upcoming events, eager to demonstrate the dynamic skiing that has earned him consistent success.

What challenges has Lukas Feurstein faced transitioning from giant slalom to​ Super-G?

## Interview with Lukas ‍Feurstein ⁢- Super-G Bronze medalist

**Interviewer:** Lukas,⁣ congratulations on⁤ your surprise bronze medal in the ⁢Super-G at Beaver Creek! ​Not a bad ⁢start to the season, especially considering this is a relatively new discipline for you.

**Feurstein:** Thank you! I’m⁢ definitely thrilled with ​the result. ‍It wasn’t something I was expecting, but I’m really happy with how I skied.

**Interviewer:** You mentioned it’s a‍ new ‌discipline. How has the transition from giant slalom been?

**Feurstein:** It’s been challenging, but I’m ‍enjoying​ it. The Super-G⁤ requires a different⁤ approach, more ⁤speed and ‌less emphasis on⁢ precise turns. But my background in giant slalom has helped me ⁤with the technical aspects, particularly on⁣ a course like Beaver Creek which is quite demanding. ⁣ [[1](https://www.nachrichten.at/sport/wintersport/ski-alpin/super-g-lukas-feurstein-3-in-beaver-creek-sieg-an-odermatt;art73891,4006864)]

**Interviewer:** You were watching from the sidelines as other skiers ‌took their​ runs. How⁢ did you feel waiting for the final results?

**Feurstein:** It was a nervous wait! Seeing my competitors like Moeller and⁤

Giovanni put down​ great runs… it was​ really tense. I was hoping I’d done enough, but‍ you never know until it’s over.

**Interviewer:** What⁣ are your​ goals for the rest of the season?

**Feurstein:**⁣ I’m focused on continuing⁣ to improve in Super-G and competing at a high level. Obviously,⁤ a podium finish ‍like this is a⁤ fantastic motivator, and ⁢I want to build on this​ success. My ‌goal is to consistently be ⁣in the top ten, and ​why not aim even higher?