Ski Legend Marcel Hirscher Represents Netherlands: Qualifies for Second Run in Historic Debut

GettyMarcel Hirscher

NOS Sport•vandaag, 11:18

Alpine skier Marcel Hirscher (35) has completed his first run on behalf of the Netherlands. The ski legend qualified for the second run of the first World Cup of the season in Sölden on his comeback.

Hirscher retired in 2019, but announced in April 2024 that he would return on behalf of the Netherlands. The seven-time world and two-time Olympic champion on behalf of Austria has a Dutch mother and was therefore able to easily make the step to the Dutch association.

In Sölden, Austria, he set the 28th fastest time of the first run. The top thirty qualified for the second run, which starts at 1 p.m.

Fun-project

Hirscher did not come close to the fastest time in Sölden, but he did not aim for that either. “In the past my focus was: winning races, now I see it more as a fun project,” he said in July. “It’s not my intention to be number one again.”

ReutersMarcel Hirscher in action in Sölden

Still, Hirscher’s first run was hopeful. The born Austrian was ill in the run-up to the first World Cup of the season and had long doubts about participation. It wasn’t until last Friday that he made the decision.

He says he will ski competitively for a year. “I want to participate for at least one year, after which I will be 36 and there will come a time when you are really too old for this sport.” The next Winter Olympics will be in 2026, when Hirscher will be 36 years old.

Ski icon Hirscher makes return after 5 years, now under the Dutch flag: ‘Kriebels back’