"Honestly? Even for us - quasi insiders - Marcel's comeback came as a big surprise," says downhill vice world champion Nina Ortlieb, expressing what almost all Ländle skiers thought when the eight-time overall World Cup winner made his return to skiing public on Wednesday. "At first, I thought it was a belated April Fool's joke," admits Montafon speed climber Emily Schöpf, while fellow skier Ariane Rädler was also completely surprised by Hirscher's comeback: "At first, I asked myself: Why is he doing this? He stopped as the best. It doesn't get any better than that. But now I'm just happy because I'm a huge fan of his."

Love and passion with heart and soul
Not the only one in Vorarlberg. "I'm extremely pleased that he's once again living out his passion for the sport like this," says booker Michelle Niederwieser and Ortlieb says: "It shows again what a great athlete he is and that he really loves skiing with his heart and soul."

A big win for the sport
With the "restart", as Hirscher calls his racing comeback after a five-year break, he is doing the sport - which has suffered from controversial calendar planning and climate protection discussions in recent years - a great service. "It's good to have characters like Lucas Braathen or Marcel back. It also brings a lot more viewers back in front of the TV," Rädler is certain and receives support from Patrick Feurstein: "It's huge for the sport and brings a lot of attention."

Not a rash move 
However, it is clear that the return of the winner of 67 World Cup races is not just for fun and to boost TV ratings, but also has a sporting background. "Marcel doesn't do anything without thinking," says Christian Hirschbühl from Lauterach, who has competed in many races with and against Hirscher. "A man of his caliber knows exactly what he's doing and will put together a good plan accordingly." Lisi Kappaurer from Bezau also believes this: "Marcel knows best of all what it takes to be the most successful skier."

"We hear that he is very fast...
That's why the neo-Dutchman has a lot of confidence in the Ländle. "If there's one person you can trust to come back - maybe even towards the top of the world - then it's him with all his skills and know-how," Lukas Feurstein is convinced. "In any case, I'm delighted that I might even be able to race against him now." Patrick Feurstein is convinced that the seven-time world champion is still very fast: "He has already trained with us and you can see that he is still brutally good and, as we hear, very fast." That's why the man from Mellau also believes that Hirscher will soon have the necessary FIS points to compete in the World Cup. "And he has often set the fastest time there with number 30."

Ortlieb believes he can reach the top
Can Marcel Hirscher win World Cup races again? "I still think he's capable of competing at the top of the world. It would also be exciting for everyone if he could actually find his old form again and celebrate World Cup victories," says Nina Ortlieb.