"Could become casual"

Hirscher talks about his biggest comeback tasks

Marcel Hirscher(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Ski star Marcel Hirscher spoke once again about his comeback plans on ServusTV on Monday. How it came about, probably the biggest challenges on the way back, what has changed in the five years during his absence and about his biggest goal.

So what will be the biggest challenge for Hirscher on his way back? "I was away from skiing for five years - that's around 25 pole training sessions - that's not a lot," says Hirscher. So for the 35-year-old from Salzburg, it's first and foremost about getting his skiing practice back.

"That could be easy"
According to him, the comeback decision was a relatively spontaneous one. "On my birthday on March 2, I didn't know that the project was starting and therefore didn't give it any thought. But then the topic came up again and I thought to myself - it could be cool - and said to myself: I'm going to do it now," he reveals. 

Marcel Hirscher makes his comeback for the Netherlands(Bild: GEPA Pictures, Adobe Stoickj, Krone KREATIV,)

In which disciplines will he compete and how often? Hirscher: "It all has to fit into my life. I have two companies and the kids. Of course, there's a lot to do on the side. But it will all work out. It's all about the fun - and as long as that's there, I'll do it."

"That's very, very cool"
What has changed in his five years away from the ski circus? "There are new players, new skiing heroes and, of course, skiing has also developed technically." The Salzburg native has been delighted with the initial reactions to his comeback. "It's so nice how much encouragement I've received in the last few days. People are so happy that this is happening again. The Ski World Cup is opening up a bit more when Lucas Braathen is also racing for Brazil - that's very, very cool."

The Salzburg native, who had actually declared his career over in 2019, wants to compete for the Netherlands, his mother's country of birth, in the future. The ÖSV will not put any obstacles in the way of this plan. Hirscher should initially compete in FIS races.

But what are his goals? How does Hirscher's comeback have to go for him to be satisfied? "I won't be judging it by results, but by experiences. And with every additional experience, the project becomes a success. The results - and that's the nice thing - are secondary for the first time in my life," says the eight-time winner of the overall World Cup. 

After his retirement, Hirscher was more active in the background in the Ski World Cup. With the support of his long-standing sponsor Red Bull, the 35-year-old founded the ski company Van Deer, which equips two world-class athletes, Norwegians Henrik Kristoffersen and Timon Haugan. A comeback for the company boss would certainly be a marketing coup for the project.