‘What a time to be a slalom racer’ says Haugan ahead of men’s Levi opener

Linus Strasser (GER) and Timon Haugan (NOR), two of the standout stars of 2023/24, neatly summed up the mood ahead of this season’s slalom starter on Sunday in Levi, Finland.

“Everybody I talk to gives me the feedback that men’s slalom is something else to watch,” Strasser, last season’s second-best Audi FIS World Cup performer said. “It’s super good, super, super good for the sport.”

The skier he pushed into third place in the 2023/24 standings could not agree more as he looks ahead to a season that will involve huge rivalries, emerging talent and returning superstars.

“What a time to be a slalom racer,” Haugan said, with a smile.

Feller eying ‘back-to-back’ Globes

Even among all this, Manuel Feller (AUT) deservedly takes top billing. The always box-office Austrian managed to find full fitness last season, after years of struggling with his back. With that came a clear sense of joy. The result: four wins, six other top-five finishes and a maiden Crystal Globe.

It is no wonder he cannot wait for Sunday at 10:00 CET.

“Right now I am enjoying every day, I feel confident, I feel like I can do every race really good," Feller said. "Back-to-back (titles) would be nice, but there are many, guys who want that too.”

While he may be well aware of the level of competition, Feller is certainly not bothered by it.

“I don't care about names when I'm on the start,” the 32-year-old said. “I'm just there to show my best skiing”

All smiles for resurgent Kristoffersen

Henrik Kristoffersen (NOR) may not have been quite at Feller-level last season, but he will start the first men’s World Cup slalom in Levi for five years with one significant advantage over his leading rival. The Norwegian was the last man to triumph down the ‘Black Levi’.

And that is not the only reason he is smiling right now.

“I'm feeling more prepared than I've done in a very long time,” said Kristoffersen, who triumphed in Levi in 2014 and 2019 and has also finished second twice and third once.

“I am very happy with the equipment and everything,” he added. “When you can work on things because the equipment is working that’s fun. And then to be able to change things and see improvements, that's fun. But of course, the most fun thing is to win.”

After 2,070 days Hirscher returns to Levi

The only skier in the field who has won more in Levi than Kristoffersen is one generating plenty of the extra excitement injected into the new season. Five years and 10 months after his last World Cup slalom win, Marcel Hirscher (NED) will burst out of the gate on Sunday.

And while the great man claimed in the giant slalom season opener in Sölden last month that he is “not a professional athlete anymore” and is just here “for fun”, his stellar second run in that race (third quickest in the field) suggest otherwise.

He will certainly have plenty of good memories to draw on in Levi as he chases slalom career title No. 33. The 35-year-old won in Lapland in 2013, 2016 and 2018 and came second in 2014, to Kristoffersen.

Strasser a ‘step ahead’ as he goes for the Globe

He may only be three years younger than Hirscher, but Strasser feels like only now is he coming into his very best. Two victories and three additional podium finishes catapulted the German to runner-up position in the 2023/24 Crystal Globe race. And the good news for his fans is that he feels even better this time around with his serviceman – new last season – fully bedded in.

Strasser started last season with two ninth place finishes, a fourth and a DNF, before finding his groove.

“I want to be able to ski at every race on a level where I can reach the podium," he said. "Or the victory.”

 All eyes on Braathen

Haugan, Atle Lie McGrath and Alexander Steen Olsen – GS winner in Sölden last month – will, alongside Kristoffersen, form a formidable Norwegian challenge. But they know they will also have their former teammate Lucas Pinheiro Braathen (BRA) to reckon with.

Now racing for Brazil, the 24-year-old showed he has lost none of pace and indeed flair during his 12 months away from the sport, when he shot down the second run in Sölden to finish just off the podium.

Now the 2022/23 World Cup champion, who has never raced in Levi before, will attempt to get his new campaign off to the perfect start. Do not miss it.

“I want to do great in every single race that I ski,” Braathen said. “I'm here because I want to challenge people's perspective and inspire people to dare to go their own ways.”