2024-03-18 15:38:11
Among other things, because he dedicated this victory, the biggest of his career, to a deceased friend. “He influenced me a lot, without him I probably wouldn’t be sitting here,” explained Feller. Then at the start of the party, when what felt like 50 people gathered in his hotel room, the 31-year-old Tyrolean kept another promise. Together with his physiotherapist Fabian Krismer, he had his hair cut off in favor of a real hair wig for cancer patients.
Manuel Feller – a born champion?
This is also Manuel Feller. In short: as an athlete and a guy, a stroke of luck for skiing, especially of course for Austria. Feller doesn’t want to and doesn’t have to pretend. “He is authentic, just like Marco Schwarz,” says someone who should know. Patrick Bernatzky is a sports psychologist and has been supporting Austria’s slalom team for several years. Feller himself explains his recipe for success as follows: “I’ve probably screwed up on every slope. With the experience I now have, I know where I have to attack and where it makes no sense.” From the perspective of the mental trainer, how did Feller’s transformation from crash pilot to serial winner, who was never worse than fifth in ten races, come regarding? Incidentally, a consistency that was recently shown by a certain Marcel Hirscher. “He is a bit calmer, more stable and more relaxed than he was a few years ago,” says Bernatzky. “An important part is also the interaction within the entire supervisory team. Everyone works meticulously with passion and through good communication and reflection within the team, adjustment screws are always found that can be used to optimize performance development.”
Mental coach Patrick Bernatzky: “Manuel has a place of calm”
According to Bernatzky, the fact that Feller was considering taking a break this season in August due to physical problems might also have been a factor: “If expectations are lowered due to an injury, then for many athletes this is unconsciously the door to relaxation.” Now one might reply that Feller is relaxedness personified anyway. But a born champion? “There are people who are talented at dealing with pressure and challenges. And there are people who can become a champion by learning mental techniques,” explains the mental coach.
And finally, Feller is also a champion when it comes to mental regeneration. “Everyone needs their daily calm in order to perform. Felli has definitely found it,” says Bernatzky regarding the father of two, who, as a Salzburger by choice, finds time out with his family and fishing in Wals. There he can now reflect on his success before going on vacation to Jamaica.
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