Manuel Feller extended his lead in the Slalom World Cup in springtime Chamonix thanks to Daniel Yule’s feat. The Tyrolean finished fourth on Sunday, but like his competitors, he had to cut his teeth on the unbridled Swiss. Yule went into the decision in 30th place following the first round. There the Swiss posted a superior best time and won his seventh World Cup victory. This has never been achieved before in the men’s Slalom World Cup.
With the slope waning, Yule ended up 0.16 seconds ahead of compatriot Loic Meillard. For Switzerland it was the first double victory in the slalom since 1978. The Frenchman Clement Noel, who was leading following the first round, came third. The local hero was 1.93 seconds ahead of Yule at halftime. The previous record for catch-ups was held by Norwegian Lucas Braathen, who carved to victory from 29th place in Wengen two years ago.
“I knew there was a chance of getting into the top ten given the close gap. I didn’t expect a podium. I just wanted to have fun and that’s how it’s really fun,” said Yule. The results of the past few years have shown that Chamonix is predestined for great leaps forward. In 2021, the Frenchman Sandro Simonet made it onto the podium in 30th place and third at the foot of Mont Blanc.
Feller was 0.34 seconds behind the Swiss. Fieberbrunner spoke of a solid race. “It’s a shame that the risk didn’t pay off, but it was still a good race. Overall, I’m happy,” said Feller in bright sunshine. The warm temperatures took a toll on the slopes, but that shouldn’t be the sole reason for Yule’s performance.
“Combination of luck and skill”
“In the last few years it has always been the case that starting numbers 1, 2 or 3 have made it to the podium in Chamonix. Daniel was lucky, to say the least, in that he made the mistake in the first round and then took advantage of it mercilessly,” analyzed Feller. “It was a combination of luck and skill.”
Yule had been worried for a long time regarding making it into the decision following a mistake in front of the flat piece in the first round. He was five hundredths of a second ahead of the Swede Fabian Ax Swartz. “Actually, following my first run, I was almost at the hotel and had packed my things,” said the 30-year-old. In the second run, Yule set the best times in each section.
Feller increased his lead in the discipline rankings over the German Linus Straßer, who was recently successful in Kitzbühel and Schladming and only came 14th. The Tyrolean is now 164 points ahead. “I watch race by race, run by run, swing by swing. Every race is a challenge, I can’t buy anything from the lead,” said the 31-year-old, looking at the small crystal ball. The World Cup continues next week in Bansko, Bulgaria.
Dominik Raschner, the second-best Austrian, finished fifth, 0.37 seconds behind the winner. The 29-year-old Tyrolean was “really satisfied. I think I did well here.” In Adelboden in January he had already shown potential for more when he finished third. But Raschner does not see himself as the second force behind Feller in the ÖSV team. “The whole team is extremely strong, we’ll definitely take turns deciding who’s in charge.”
Fabio Gstrein came 13th, Johannes Strolz came directly behind him, Michael Matt was also in the top 20 in 19th place. 22-year-old Joshua Sturm scored World Cup points for the first time in 25th place, Adrian Pertl came 29th.
