Superstar Marcel Hirscher. © APA/afp / ROBIN UTRECHT

End of career? Cryptic statements from Marcel Hirscher

All eyes will be on Marcel Hirscher this winter. Austria's skiing legend is making a comeback - but the Salzburg native has now caused a stir with some of his statements.

08 October 2024

From: det

It has been a constant topic in the skiing scene for the past few months: Marcel Hirscher, eight-time overall World Cup winner, will attempt a comeback in the World Cup after five years. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to do so in Sölden, but Austria's skiing champion will be seen in the World Cup again during the course of the season. But this time for the Netherlands, his mother's home country.

In an interview with the broadcaster ServusTV Hirscher said that he sees his comeback as the "end of my first career". In his last race to date in March 2019, the now 35-year-old did not yet know that he would end his career, as he only announced his retirement months later. "So I never had a farewell year," said Hirscher.

Marcel Hirscher returns to the ski stage. © APA/afp / JURE MAKOVEC

Then Hirscher says: "Perhaps this is the year of his farewell, because the project is only designed for one year. It was never intended to last longer." Does that mean that the superstar will definitely stop after the coming season? Hirscher answers cryptically: "Never say never."

It will be interesting to see how long Hirscher will remain in the skiing world - and how many races he will actually compete in this year. The Olympic champion's big goal is the World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. "Taking part in a Ski World Championship in Austria is just awesome. I'm looking forward to it!"