Following their podium sweep at the first slalom of the 2023/24 World Cup season in Gurgl, the Austrian Wunderteam is set to compete in the Madonna di Campiglio Night Race, aiming for a victory that has eluded them for 6 years since Marcel Hirscher's 2017 triumph
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The departure of a phenomenal talent from a national team is not easy to compensate. Despite its rich tradition, theAustrian Ski Teamhas yet to find a bona fide successor toMarcel Hirscher, who retired at the end of the 2019 season.
Nonetheless, the Wunderteam has had its share of satisfaction in recent years, and in the season's first World Cup slalom, the Austrian team dominated, securing all podium positions withManuel Felleras the winner, followed byMarco SchwarzandMichael Matt– a rare feat in the super-competitive World Cup slalom context.
Following the cancellation of the Val d’Isere event,December 22ndinMadonna di Campigliopresents an opportunity to gauge the Austrian team's ambitions for this World Cup season. It's been 6 years since the Wunderteam's last victory at Madonna di Campiglio, achieved by Marcel Hirscher.
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Among the top 3 athletes from Gurgl's opener, Manuel Feller has yet to secure a podium in the Italian slalom. In contrast, Marco Schwarz has been on the podium twice: in 2015 behindKristoffersenand Hirscher, and in 2018 securing second place behindYuleand ahead of Michael Matt himself.
“I'm in good condition and had a positive start to the season,”stated Michael Matt, whose brotherMariowon 3Tre in2000. –“In Madonna, I hope to find my footing, with short, swift lines to gain speed through the gates. Having been on the podium here before, I know the challenges of the Canalone Miramonti slope.”
If Michael Matt is in the process of rediscovering his mojo, Manuel Feller has already made a statement with the debut win in Gurgl. Along with his innate talent, the 31-year-old Tyrolean has achieved a consistency in results that allows him to compete at the highest level.
Marco Schwarz, meanwhile, is the team's all-rounder. Initially a slalom specialist, the 28-year-old from Villach earned his first World Cup podium in Madonna di Campiglio in 2015 and has since achieved significant results in giant slalom, Super-G, and Downhill. Schwarz is currently runner-up in the FIS World Cup standings, chasing title holderMarco Odermattfor the Crystal Globe.
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“I have good feelings through the rapid gates at the moment. The recent cancellations haven't been ideal, but at least we could preserve some energy,”Schwarz remarked. He expressed high regard for 3Tre:“Madonna di Campiglio is where I won my first World Cup podium. The challenging slope and night race contribute to its unique atmosphere, making it a jewel of the World Cup.”
The 3Tre event kicks off on December 21st with music and entertainment and the traditional public bib draw in Piazza Sissi, and aMeet & Greet with UYNathletes inPiazza Brenta Alta. The race is scheduled forDecember 22nd(first run at17:45 CET, second run at20:45 CET), followed by a night of music and fun in the Pearl of the Dolomites. More details andticketscan be found atwww.3trecampiglio.it.
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