KITZBÜHEL, Austria (AP) — Manuel Feller pleased the home crowd with a surprise win in the World Cup slalom of the classic Hahnenkamm event on Sunday, a day after the Austrian team had a disastrous result in the downhill.
Feller, fourth after the opening leg, kneeled on the snow in the finish area after his run as he watched the final three racers all coming up well short, including first-run leader and world champion Loic Meillard, who finished 0.35 behind in second.
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Austria's Manuel Feller, centre, winner of an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom, poses with second placed Switzerland's Loic Meillard, left, and third placed Germany's Linus Strasser, in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)
Austria's Manuel Feller reacts after winning an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)
Austria's Manuel Feller, centre, winner of an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom, poses with second placed Switzerland's Loic Meillard, left, and third placed Germany's Linus Strasser, in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)
Austria's Manuel Feller celebrates winning an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)
Norway's Atle Lie McGrath speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)
Switzerland's Loic Meillard speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)
Switzerland's Loic Meillard speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)
Meillard was seeking his first slalom win of the season after two podiums in December, though he did win a giant slalom in France last month.
Germany’s Linus Strasser, who won the race two years ago, was 0.53 behind in third after edging out Lucas Pinheiro Braathen by four-hundredths for a place on the podium.
When his victory was confirmed, Feller got up, held one of his skis in the air and let out a loud scream.
“I can’t describe how much this means to me,” the Austrian said in a tearful course-side interview.
“This year I was close to quit a few times, just no energy anymore for a few races. But all my life, quitting was no option, so I kept on going.”
His victory came a day after Vincent Kriechmayr in 13th was the best Austrian finisher in the storied Hahnenkamm downhill, which marked the worst result for the home team in the history of the race.
Feller was the 2023-24 slalom champion but has been struggling with back pain in recent years. He had not won a race since triumphing in Palisades Tahoe, California, in March 2024, and had not had a podium result in the current campaign.
“It was probably my toughest season, probably one of the toughest parts of my life,” Feller said. “It’s only skiing, but right now, skiing feels pretty good.”
Feller became the first Austrian winner of the Kitzbühel slalom since Marcel Hirscher triumphed nine years ago.
In the first run, World Cup discipline leader Atle Lie McGrath skied out.
“I’m obviously very disappointed and it hurts a lot,” McGrath said. “I was at the start with a good mindset. I really tried to push and stuff like that happens.”
The United States-born Norwegian went top of the standings last week after winning in Wengen, but has now been overtaken by his close friend and former teammate, Pinheiro Braathen, who competes for Brazil.
A night race on Wednesday in Schladming is the final slalom before the Milan Cortina Olympics.
AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiing
Austria's Manuel Feller reacts after winning an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)
Austria's Manuel Feller, centre, winner of an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom, poses with second placed Switzerland's Loic Meillard, left, and third placed Germany's Linus Strasser, in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)
Austria's Manuel Feller celebrates winning an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)
Norway's Atle Lie McGrath speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)
Switzerland's Loic Meillard speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)
Switzerland's Loic Meillard speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men's World Cup slalom in Kitzbuehel, Austria, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)
Winning free agency doesn’t guarantee success.
It’s still a good start.
NFL teams have committed billions of dollars in free agency, hoping the players they’ve added can help them win a Super Bowl.
Some of the more aggressive teams — the Raiders and Titans — would be happy if new players just make them more competitive after futile seasons.
There have been several surprises, including a voided blockbuster trade that sent star edge rusher Maxx Crosby back to the Raiders.
Here’s some early winners and losers:
The NFC South champion Panthers added edge rusher Jaelan Phillips ($120 million) and linebacker Devin Lloyd ($45 million), two of the best players available at their positions. Phillips and Lloyd join interior lineman Derrick Brown and cornerback Jaycee Horn to give Carolina top players at each level on defense.
The Panthers lost defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson, running back Rico Dowdle and center Cade Mays.
The 49ers snagged six-time Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans from Tampa Bay on a three-year deal that could be worth $60.4 million but only includes $16.3 million guaranteed over one year, according to a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the details weren't public. San Francisco also acquired defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa from Dallas for a third-round pick; added swing tackle Vederian Lowe and center Brett Toth; and re-signed tight end Jake Tonges and kicker Eddy Piniero.
The 32-year-old Evans can still be an elite player in coach Kyle Shanahan’s system, giving Brock Purdy a top target.
The Niners lost wideout Kendrick Bourne.
An excellent offseason last year helped the Patriots win 10 more games and reach the Super Bowl. They’ve followed up with another strong spending spree, adding wideout Romeo Doubs ($70 million), guard Alijah Vera-Tucker ($42 million), Pro Bowl safety Kevin Byard ($9 million), edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones ($39.5 million), fullback Reggie Gilliam, tight end Julian Hill, safety Mike Brown and linebacker K.J. Britt.
They traded center Garrett Bradbury and lost defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga, tight end Austin Hooper and safety Jaylinn Hawkins.
Geno Smith is back in New York and the Jets strengthened their defense by acquiring veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat in other trades and signing two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Demario Davis and edge rusher Joseph Ossai ($34.5 million).
They also signed defensive tackle David Onyemata, edge Kingsley Enagbare, safety Dane Belton and cornerback Nashon Wright, giving Aaron Glenn several new players to bolster the defense. Left guard Dylan Parham fills a vacancy on the offensive line and backup tackle Max Mitchell returns.
The Jets lost linebacker Quincy Williams, guards Vera-Tucker and John Simpson and kicker Nick Folk.
After trading for cornerback Trent McDuffie, the Rams signed cornerback Jaylen Watson and re-signed safety Kam Curl to further boost the secondary.
Tight end Tyler Higbee returns to provide depth and long snapper Joe Cardona arrives to help on special teams.
They lost Evans not over money but because he wanted a new challenge and views the 49ers as closer to winning. The defense lost a pair of starters in cornerback Jamel Dean and defensive lineman Logan Hall.
The Buccaneers signed Robinson to improve the defensive line, linebacker Alex Anzalone, running back Kenneth Gainwell and backup quarterback Jake Browning.
The two-time defending NFC East champions make this list because they lost three starters on defense: Phillips, linebacker Nakobe Dean, safety Reed Blankenship.
The Eagles signed cornerback Riq Woolen and tight end Johnny Mundt and re-signed tight end Grant Calcaterra.
They gave defensive tackle Jordan Davis a contract extension and have to extend several young stars on a defense that dominated Kansas City in the Super Bowl two years ago. Philadelphia can’t pay everyone, and general manager Howie Roseman always finds a way to compensate for losing talented players.
The AFC South champions lost Lloyd, running back Travis Etienne and cornerback Greg Newsome.
They’ve signed backup running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. and retained cornerback Montaric Brown and linebacker Dennis Gardeck.
The Jaguars have more work to do in the offseason.
On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. For more On Football analysis, head here.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans runs during an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Dec. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman, file)
FILE - Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips warms up before an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Jan. 11, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton, file)
