They have in common 24 medals won at World Championships and Olympic Games. They celebrated together 46 World Cup victories. You have achieved many successes for the ÖSV and were defining figures of the Ski World Cup.
Michaela Kirchgasser, Benjamin Raich and Hans Knauss. In the Audi Talk, the trio looks at the World Cup and discusses Manuell Feller, Marcel Hirscher and Mikaela Shiffrin.
What and who did you notice at the start of the World Cup on the Rettenbachferner?
Benjamin Raich: “Personally, I especially remember Marco Odermatt but also Stefan Brennsteiner. Technically a feast for the eyes, both very fast and stable, but this time not on point in terms of risk management.”
Hans Knauss: “Alexander Steen Olsen has taken an incredible step. He’s more of a lightweight, a tough guy. This can be expected in every giant slalom in the future and I think that he will also be really fast in the slalom.”
Michaela Kirchgasser: “I was impressed by Julia Scheib. We saw what she can do in training and last season, but to show it like that in the first race of the season, especially in Austria, was really cool.”
The start of the World Cup was all about the returnees Marcel Hirscher and Lucas Pinheiro Braathen. How can this hype be explained? Does there generally need more show, or is skiing simply lacking in guys?
Hans Knauss: I’m really happy about it! There has never been a superstar who made a comeback after a five-year break. It’s extremely interesting for all of us – whether fans or experts – everyone asks themselves the question of how far Marcel can come. You’re still missing the racing kilometers, that’s the only way you’ll find your limit. If he works for it, he will be really dangerous in the second half of the season and at the World Cup. In any case, I definitely expect Marcel to finish on the podium this season.
Benjamin Raich: “For me the hype was a logical thing. Marcel won the overall World Cup eight times, he dominated the sport, then was away for five years and is back with his own ski company – that’s very special and clearly triggered something. Braathen is also a very special, very intelligent guy, with great charisma. Still, I don’t think skiing is lacking in guys“Comeback stories like this are good for every sport.”
Michaela Kirchgasser: “It’s not for nothing that Marcel has dominated the last ten years he’s been racing. I didn’t buy him the low stacking in advance anywayWhen Marcel Hirscher is at the start, he will perform to the fullest, that was clear to me. “
Who do you have to take into account for the slalom in Levi this weekend and what do you think the Ski Austria team can do in the second race of the season?
Benjamin Raich: “For me it is Manuel Feller is the driver to beat. He demonstrated his top class with consistently strong performances last season and is the top favorite for me. I also have Alexander Steen Olsen on the bill, who impressed me in Sölden, especially thanks to his mental strength.
Michaela Kirchgasser: “Levi is very special, a seemingly easy slope with two waves that make it very exciting. The long flat piece is crucial, Mikaela Shiffrin has this certainly advantages thanks to their possibilities. For the men, predictions are difficult; in no other discipline are there as many contenders for victory as in the slalom. Manuel Feller proved last year that he’s there when it matters most, so I’m definitely counting on him.”