Today at Saalbach 2025: All the latest from the Austrian men’s Team Combined & Swiss men’s tech team

From Manuel Feller (AUT/Atomic) sharing how his whole season has been built around four weeks to Loic Meillard (SUI/Rossignol) revelling in his outstanding record in Saalbach, a host of Alpine skiing’s biggest Austrian and Swiss names have been speaking ahead of the second week of the World Championships getting underway.

Here are the highlights.

Austrian men's Team Combined

Manuel Feller (AUT/Atomic)

On partnering Vincent Kriechmayr (Head) in the Team Combined:

“If I could wish for a partner, it would be Vince.

“I would say the Swiss guys are also pretty hard to beat but we are definitely a good team.

“The question is what situation I will have after the Downhill, which position he has (put the team in). My wish is like two-tenths (of a second) behind, in fourth. So, I only can win (laughs).”

On the different kind of pressure the Team Combined will bring:

“Just for example, if he is leading (after the Downhill) and I do a mistake and we are not making a medal, I am the ‘boo man’. So yeah, that's a different kind of pressure, but that's ski racing. If you're skiing on the limit, anything can happen."

On the opportunity to ski in front of his home fans:

“It's amazing how the Austrians are celebrating this sport. It makes the difference. It wouldn't be the same if the people wouldn't celebrate it like this.

“And having this in my home skiing area, what a privilege is it, to ski World Championships, where you're even able to win a medal, in your home skiing area. That’s a childhood dream. Hopefully, it will work out for the one or the other race, and then it (would be) just amazing. Emotional.”

On his season-focus being on the big Austrian races:

“I put my focus on January, especially on the home events and on this week. So it wasn't that bad that it wasn't happening or wasn't that good before.

“If half of the four or five races I have at the end of January and until mid-February are going the way I want them to, nobody is talking anymore about the races before.

“And right now we are 50:50. Kitzbühel (ninth in the Slalom) wasn't how I wanted it, but Schladming (second in the Slalom) definitely was a good step and really amazing.

“And now I have two races left, so let's make three out of four.”

Marco Schwarz (AUT/Atomic)

On these Championships being a huge goal for Schwarz during his recovery from injury:

“For sure, it was a big motivation and, of course, a big goal to compete here. I wasn't sure in October when I started skiing again how it (would) work, but now I'm pretty happy with my body. Knee feels good. My back feels good, so I'm ready to race, and I will try to go full gas.

“The last few races were pretty okay, could have been better, but I'm feeling more and more confident. I think I'm ready.”

Daniel Hemetsberger (AUT/Fischer)

On he and teammate Fabio Gstrein (AUT/Atomic) coming into form at the right time:

“I think so. Fabio with his first podium, extraordinary, and for me, fourth place in Kitzbühel. I think we are skiing good at the moment, and when we can put our best skiing from both sides together, it could be great. So I'm really excited.”

On knowing what he has to do:

“I already had four runs, and I should know where I have to ski to be fast. On the Downhill yesterday I was a bit too slow, with small mistakes. I will try to do a better run and give him a good opportunity for the Slalom.”

On being aware of the dangers of skiing out in the Downhill:

“Yeah, I've thought about this, but I think I have to risk it all, I have to take some risk to do a fast run. And when I'm skiing on the safe line then I will be behind the fastest (skier) by one-and-a-half seconds, and then he has no chance. So I have to give it all and no mistakes, and then it will be good.”

On his excitement:

“I think this will be one of the greatest races from the World Champs. Because you know, the best Slalom skiers the best Downhillers in a team, a lot of tension. That will be really great, brilliant.”

Swiss men's technical team

Loic Meillard (SUI/Rossignol)

On missing gold from his World Championship medal collection:

“Definitely I've already had some medals, but at the end, we can always have more and try to do better, still missing the gold as well. So, that's definitely a goal.”

On a season that has had plenty of podiums but no wins:

“It definitely would be the perfect time to have that win.”

On having a World Cup win and three second places in Saalbach:

“It's just a slope that suits me well, where I can ski fast, and that's what I keep in mind.

“I would say it helps to know that you can be fast on that slope. There are sometimes slopes where you're never fast. You don't really know why, but that's how it is. And here it helps to know what to do and how, how much I can push to be faster.”

On feeding off sister Melanie’s strong season :

“For her, it hasn't been so easy the last few years. So, to see her succeed, have fun skiing with no pain, skiing freely, that's something that makes me proud of her.

“And her season is definitely something also I can learn from; to always fight and continue fighting when it doesn't work.”

On the support they give each other:

“We text each other what we could have done better through the runs and what we can try to improve for the second run. We try to feed each other with positive energy.

“It can be technical if I see something, but it can also be just mentally. If you're in front in the first run and you have to handle second run, it always helps when you have someone that knows what they're talking about, to try to remind you a little point you have to focus on.”

Daniel Yule (SUI/Fischer)

On his approach to these World Championships:

“For sure, I haven't had the best of seasons so far, but in a way it really puts you in the mindset you need to have for a World Championships. The focus of one day of racing. Anything can happen.

“For the guys who've been ahead the whole season, obviously, there's a lot of expectations. Some people deal with it absolutely no problem. Others, you sort of think, ‘oh, a big event and I've been doing so well all season’ – maybe there's a bit more expectation for them.

“In the Slalom, even in the World Cup races, there seems to be a surprise every week. So I really hope, and I believe that I can be the surprise this week.”

On the all-conquering Norwegians:

“They just have a really strong team. So obviously, in training, they always know where the bar is, where the limit is, and that pushes everyone forward.

“And then I think in Slalom, in any discipline, it works a lot on confidence. So, if you can have a good start into the season, a good first few races, then you can get the confidence going, and it's a lot easier to then attack, take the risks and go to the limit.”

Marc Rochat (SUI/Nordica)

On his determination to enjoy these World Championships:

“A lot of people say only the medals count and I disagree with that. The simple fact of being able to compete here is an honor, and a gift. To be part of the top four in your discipline in your country is already an achievement.

“I definitely want to have fun. Enjoy the fact that we're at the World Champs. It's a one-day race. No pressure, just fun.”

On skiing in Austria as a Swiss skier:

“I think in alpine skiing, we're all a big, big family. I do not feel the public is unfair with the Swiss skiers.

"It's the Brazilian football of ski racing, competing in Austria. It is a big deal, and being able to compete in front of such a fantastic crowd, it's a kid’s dream come true.”