Marcel Hirscher commented on his comeback. © APA/afp / JOE KLAMAR

Comeback hammer: Marcel Hirscher is now speaking

Alpine ski superstar Marcel Hirscher is planning a competitive comeback. The ÖSV and representatives of its ski company Van Deer-Red Bull Sports confirmed this in an online press conference on Wednesday, before the Salzburg native later took a position himself.

24 April 2024

From: apa/dl

“I would like the opportunity to race every now and then,” said Hirscher, who actually ended his career in 2019. “Simply because I enjoy it.” In the future, he wants to compete in the Netherlands, his mother’s country of birth.

Marcel Hirscher would like to get back into racing sporadically,” ÖSV General Secretary Christian Scherer informed the public. The request for a change of nation is also fulfilled “in appreciation of one’s services” to the ÖSV and the decision is respected. “The future in the ÖSV belongs to the young athletes and that’s why I don’t want resources to be tied up, exceptions made or starting places kept free because of me,” explained Hirscher. “My new project is easier to implement in Holland.”

“The future in the ÖSV belongs to the young athletes. My new project is easier to implement in Holland.” Marcel Hirscher

The ÖSV has already written the necessary letter with the promise of the athlete's release, and the FIS board will decide on changing the license registration at its next meeting. If everything goes as planned, Hirscher will soon be able to compete in FIS giant slalom and slalom races, revealed Van Deer racing director Anton Giger. World Cup appearances are “already very far away” due to a starting number that is too high.

Return to the World Cup?

Giger generally tried not to give rise to high expectations. “The races that Marcel will compete in are not races that will be broadcast on television,” said the ex-ÖSV coach. It is “an entry at FIS level, nothing more and nothing less”, but at the same time it is “a great impulse for skiing”. “The main motivation is really that he just wants to race and loves this sport,” emphasized Giger. “The other things will arise anyway.”

Marcel Hirscher first has to fight his way forward in the World Cup with the start number. © APA/afp / JURE MAKOVEC

However, ÖSV men's head coach Marko Pfeifer believes Hirscher can regain his footing among the world's best. “You just have to make sure you get to the front with your starting number as quickly as possible in order to be competitive in the World Cup. “That can happen very quickly,” said the Carinthian. There are some runners, especially in slalom, who have achieved great success even at an older age - for example Mario Matt or Andre Myhrer.

Hirscher has 67 World Cup victories and a total of 138 podium places in his CV so far. With seven World Cup titles and four silver medals, he is the most successful World Cup participant in history. He also won the small crystal ball six times each in the slalom and giant slalom. He won the overall World Cup eight times in a row, more often than anyone else.

Coup for ski company and the Netherlands

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

Marcel Hirscher and his baby: The ski company Van Deer. © APA / BARBARA GINDL

Hirscher's major public appearances have been rare in the recent past. In 2022 he drove on the Streif as a precursor to the Hahnenkamm Races. The passionate motocross rider also took part in the most recent editions of the Erzberg Rodeo.

Training with Braathen?

In March, the Norwegian-born Lucas Pinheiro Braathen had already announced that he wanted to compete in the World Cup again. In the future, the technology specialist will drive for Brazil, his mother's home country. A possible training partnership with Hirscher is being examined, said Patrick Riml, who looks after the ski stars supported by Red Bull. Michael “Mike” Pircher, Hirscher’s long-time successful coach, will also be part of Braathen’s coaching team.

Hirscher could train a lot with Lucas Braathen in the future. © AFP / TIZIANA FABI

There is great joy about Hirscher's comeback request in the Netherlands. “The fact that Marcel Hirscher intends to compete for the Dutch Ski Association is an absolute honor and an impulse of social value for our country. Marcel is a global icon and inspiration for all skiers: interest, enthusiasm and pride in the Netherlands will increase,” said Frits Avis, Secretary General of the Nederlandse Ski Vereniging (NSV) in a press release.