Manfred Moelgg for 4V: A lot of work in front of Italian slalom

Yeah, I know, I don't have a better photo. All you can see is a man from head to toe in black Nordica suit with sunglasses. It was around -7, but with just a little bit of wind, real feel was -27.

A lot of people who pass through teams area say hi to him, engage in short conversation or pat on the back. He responds with a smile, always. In discussion with Alex Vinatzer:

"Well, if you hadn't train that much GS, this wouldn't have happened."

(Vinatzer straddled in the first run. This is, of course, what I imagined they talked about.)

I took my chances when he was walking closer to the media fence.

Mani, can I ask you few questions?

Of course.

How are you, how is 'retirement' treating you?

Oh, I'm happy at the moment, I'm fine, thank you. It's always nice to be here. Now in another role, Chief (of racing) for Nordica-Blizzard. Good race today for our athletes, now it's Michi Matt's turn to take second run, hopefully he can ski very fast (the interview was done during the second run of men's slalom in Alta Badia).

Italian slalom - would you say it's in a little crisis now, with Sala's injury?

Of course, we have 5-6 guys at the start, three of them are young and not so good, Vinatzer skied out... A lot of work to do...

Maurberger came back from injury.

Yes, very good race today for him, but he is in a different situation. Month of January is coming so hopefully the team will be in a better shape.

Do you see Clement Noel winning the Globe this year, or something is gonna come in the way (again)?

(laughs) It's a little bit too early to say, Haugan is very fast, Kristoffersen too. January is very important for all the guys. Slalom is slalom, you have to be very concentrated and good all the season. A lot of races to come, we will see.

Manfred Moelgg. Simply, one cool guy. Maybe it's just me, maybe it has something to do with the fact that he won on Sljeme in 2017, which was my first race as a sports journalist on the spot. Maybe because he was one of those who persevered through the years, fighting with younger guys in slalom.

You know what they say, you can't not to cheer for the 'old guys' who were there when you were a kid.