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Johannes Strolz celebrated a sensational victory in Adelboden
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JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT / EPA
The fact that Linus Straßer was only 0.29 seconds away from victory in third place at the World Cup in Adelboden, Switzerland, seemed pretty okay for the German ski racer.
On top of the podium was Johannes Strolz after the slalom.
The Austrian set the fastest time and was 0.17 seconds ahead of Manuel Feller in the end.
First of all, the 29-year-old Strolz had previously made it into the top ten, since this season he has not even been part of the official squad of the Austrian Ski Association (ÖSV).
Since then, Strolz has financed his training himself and trained with the German team, among others.
Strolz also has to prepare his skis himself.
"Nobody can imagine what that means when you have to stand in the ski room after training and straighten your skis," said Feller, according to media reports on ORF.
"I have to thank so many people," said Strolz, according to media reports on ORF.
“It finally paid off.
It's a dream, unbelievable.
I've always believed that I had what it takes to win a World Cup.
But I've had so many setbacks that I started thinking, ”he said.
When Strolz crossed the finish line as the winner with the high start number 38, he seemed to have tears in his eyes.
“More than a deserved winner, unbelievable.
I think it'll take him a few days to realize that, ”said Feller.
Even the competition could live well with the surprising winner.
Now the police officer, son of the former combiner Hubert Strolz, who became Olympic champion in Calgary in 1988, can dream of the Winter Games himself.
One of the criteria for nominating the ÖSV is a top ten placement in the 2021/2022 season.
Strasser also cracked the association's internal norm for Beijing.
hba / dpa / sid / AP