Alpine skiing
Does he drive? Hirscher’s return electrifies the Ski World Cup
Working on his World Cup comeback: Austrian ski star Marcel Hirscher. photo
© Kerstin Joensson/AP/dpa
Marcel Hirscher is in focus at the start in Sölden, but may not even be at the start yet. For Felix Neureuther, the ski star’s announced comeback is a “huge story” either way.
Does he drive or doesn’t he drive? There is no end to speculation as to whether ski star Marcel Hirscher will return to the World Cup at the season opener in Sölden. How fast is the 35-year-old really? Is he already venturing down the famous Rettenbachferner in the first giant slalom of the winter next Sunday? Or will he join later? Hirscher himself will have to make a decision soon. One thing is certain: the announced comeback of the eight-time overall World Cup winner is electrifying the ski world.
Shiffrin is currently the biggest star on the scene
The return of his long-time rival and friend is a “huge story,” Felix Neureuther told the German Press Agency. Hirscher is “exactly one of the characters and protagonists that we urgently need.” Of the really big names in alpine sports, there have recently been only a few. The Swiss Marco Odermatt is becoming more and more of a star on the scene. Otherwise, it is currently only US dominator Mikaela Shiffrin who is developing global appeal beyond sport. A Hirscher who has won 67 World Cup races, two Olympic and seven World Cup gold medals comes at just the right time.
However, the experts agree on one thing: Hirscher will only start if he really feels competitive. His most recent statements cast doubt on this. Hirscher recently reported on ServusTV that he would be around four seconds short of the top 15. In addition, he wasn’t able to train as much in the snow, but instead had to stay in bed while sick. Everything doesn’t sound promising – at least for Sölden.
Hirscher: Deep stacker and inventor
Is the former exceptional athlete perhaps also bluffing to a certain extent in order to dampen expectations? “He was always a bit of a lowlife,” said Neureuther. “But he’s always done well with that, it maybe takes some of the pressure off him, so it’s okay.” In addition, the challenge that Hirscher faces is enormous.
The Salzburg resident contested his last race to date in 2019. “Since Marcel was out for so long, he has to develop everything from scratch – and in a short time. In addition to skiing, a lot of concentration also goes into matching the materials,” explained Neureuther. “I sincerely hope that he manages to be at the front again. That takes a lot of work and also a bit of luck.”
World Cup in Saalbach-Hinterglemm as a long-term goal
Hirscher, always one of the greatest inventors, now skis for his own ski brand Van Deer. And in the future he will no longer compete for Austria, but for the Netherlands, his mother’s country of birth. The next exciting question that arises about his comeback is whether the fans will still cheer him on with the red-white-red flags like they used to.
Hirscher is definitely looking forward to the World Cup in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria, in February. This experience is “simply awesome”. He definitely wanted to take that with him, he announced. For this he will toil and file. Since the return is currently only planned for one season, the World Cup could finally be the last big highlight as an active skier. The conclusion of the “heart project”, as Hirscher calls his comeback.
On his return to the World Cup, the former slalom and giant slalom king will benefit from a rule change by the Fis. Anyone who would like to return from retirement can apply for a wildcard with the world association and save themselves the detour through lower-class qualifying races. However, the criteria are strict; only absolute top athletes can meet them. Just like Hirscher.
