Return to the World Cup

Marcel Hirscher: Miracle comeback takes shape

Marcel Hirscher

(Bild: APA/BARBARA GINDL)

A big bang in the ski circus! According to information from "Krone", Marcel Hirscher (35) has plans to return to the World Cup. Preparations are to begin in New Zealand. The highlight would of course be his start at the World Championships in Saalbach for the Netherlands, the home of his mother Sylvia.

During his visit to Vienna, where he opened the second Garmin store in Europe as a brand ambassador, Marcel Hirscher was still tight-lipped when it came to the permanent topic of a comeback. Instead, he emphasized the importance of sport as a means of enjoyment and for well-being. But a few hours later, rumors began to spread that Austria's skiing superstar could perhaps really let it rip once again.

Marcel Hirscher in action

(Bild: VAN DEER)

Start for the Netherlands
Exactly five years after his retirement, the Salzburg native is planning his return to ski racing, according to information from Krone! Unfortunately not for Austria (Hirscher doesn't want to take a starting place away from anyone), but for the Netherlands. In other words, for his mother's homeland. A comeback would therefore be planned for one season, i.e. for the winter of 2024/25. As preparation, the double Olympic champion and eight-time overall World Cup champion wants to take part in a training camp in New Zealand in the summer and also compete in FIS races there to get in the mood.

Should Hirscher really go through with his plan, it would of course also be a sensational marketing coup for the ski company he founded, Van Deer. Norway's long-time Hirscher rival Henrik Kristoffersen has also been competing on these poles for the past two seasons and even won the gold medal in the World Championship slalom in France on them.

Marcel Hirscher and Henrik Kristoffersen

(Bild: APA/BARBARA GINDL)

Naturally, Hirscher did not want to comment on the wild speculation at the meeting with the "Krone" in Vienna. There are still many details to be clarified. But he did talk about the fact that people in Austria treat him differently than they did a few years ago.

(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

"It's a nice feeling"
"A lot of people still recognize me, hardly anything has changed. But it's still different. I used to hear 'Look, it's Hirscher' or sayings about the last races. Now some people even say 'Hello, Mr. Hirscher, how are you? Maybe because of my advanced age (laughs). Somehow I no longer feel like Austrian state property, I feel more appreciated by people. And that's a very nice feeling."

A lot has happened in the five years since the (probably temporary) farewell. "First of all, I think to myself: 'What, five years already! At the beginning, I asked myself the really difficult question: 'What am I going to do now? In the last two years, I've found a good way, a great balance that makes me feel good."

Marcel Hirscher in conversation with "Krone" reporter Alex Hofstetter

(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

However, Marcel has probably not really found a conclusion to his unique career. In any case, there is no need to worry about his fitness. Daily exercise is still a must for Hirscher. And in his ski tests for Van Deer, he is still as fast as an arrow.