When Marcel Hirscher announced his comeback, it caused a lot of cheering and delight. It is the return of the top star to the alpine ski circuit. The world association rolls out the red carpet for him – without consultation. Special rights for the best? There is criticism from the German team.
Marcel Hirscher’s return to the Alpine World Cup, made possible by a wildcard, has met with criticism in the German ski team. Slalom ace Linus Straßer is looking forward to competing with the Austrian, who is now competing for the Netherlands. However, it is not right that he immediately gets a relatively good starting place as a prominent returnee thanks to a newly introduced rule. According to Straßer, the wildcard rule is “very difficult”; Head coach Christian Schwaiger thinks she is “absolutely bad”.
The World Ski Association Fis introduced a wildcard for the new season – some observers say: just because of Hirscher. Drivers who have not raced for at least two years and who have previously won major titles in their career can apply for this.
You can then start the race immediately after the first 30 starters. Many athletes struggle for years to work their way up the start list in order to benefit from a relatively good slope.
Wolfgang Maier, the sports director in the German Ski Association (DSV), criticized that the wildcards were decided by the Fis around the controversial President Johan Eliasch without consultation or coordination with athlete and team representatives. “We are not against the wild card in principle. But the way it was introduced is not okay,” said the experienced official before the season opener in Sölden at the weekend.
Hirscher’s return “a huge deal in terms of PR”
The eight-time overall World Cup winner, world champion and Olympic champion Hirscher could be back at the start there for the first time after a five-year break. After years of being the world’s best alpine athlete for Austria, he will now compete for the Netherlands, his mother’s home country. He has not yet confirmed that he will actually be competing in Sölden.
It is understandable that many are looking forward to the comeback, said Maier. “Of course it’s sexy for the Fis when Hirscher drives again, and the whole media then focuses on it.” Straßer sees it similarly. “Of course I can see that it’s a huge deal in terms of PR, that it’s good for the sport and the ratings. And I personally feel the same way: I’m looking at it with excitement and I’m also interested in where Marcel is now.”
In terms of sport, Straßer has a lot of confidence in the former World Cup dominator despite his long break. “Some people write off Marcel completely, which I don’t understand at all. He is at least as physically fit as he was when he was active. He’s not that old either, he’s 35, that’s the best sporting age.”
dpa/mel
