Mixed feelings among Vorarlberg’s ski men after the World Cup kick-off in Sölden. On the one hand, Patrick Feurstein was happy about his first race start in 595 days, on the other hand, the 24-year-old was annoyed about the missed qualification for the final. Cousin Lukas was also unable to implement his training achievements and had to watch in round two. Nevertheless, the two people from Mellau were also able to take positive things with them from the Rettenbachferner.
It was exactly 53 hundredths of a second that Patrick Feurstein, in 40th place, was missing to qualify for the second run in Sölden. “Of course it was a great thing to finally be at the start of the race again after all the health problems I had in recent months,” says the 24-year-old. “And I am also satisfied with my performance up to the steep slope exit. The fact that I’m 1.2 seconds behind the finish line in the flat section is very annoying. We have to work on that. “
The second place of Roli Leitinger, who rides in the same training group, also encourages the Mellau: “I’m very happy for him. And I’m not nearly as missing him in training as I am here in the race. “
Cousin Lukas also missed the finals of the best 30 in his second World Cup start. The 20-year-old, who started the race with the high start number 57, was still on course for qualification in the first interim in 29th place. However, mistakes on the steep slope cost a lot of time. In the end it was 1.1 seconds that he was 48th missing from the final.
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to use my training performance in the race,” sums up Lukas, “but I will continue to work and hope for my next chance.”
There was consolation for the missed qualification for the Feursteins at the finish: They were celebrated by their SV Mellau fans who had specially traveled.