Marcel Hirscher: “I’m living my dream”

Marcel Hirscher rang in his ski company's second World Cup year with numerous guests and companions. Slalom world champion Henrik Kristoffersen, the figurehead of Van Deer-Red Bull Sports, was also there in Salzburg.

20 October 2023

From: apa

The brand is definitely here to stay - that's the name of a short documentary that was presented on Friday. “I’m living my dream,” said Hirscher. But the wraps with the FIS about the use of the logo will probably remain.

“The discussions with the FIS mean that we will cover parts of the logo until further notice,” confirmed race director Anton Giger. “We are absolutely sure that we will drive with the logo at some point. We'll see how long this will take.” The long-time ÖSV trainer and official emphasized that the fight will not be fought on the backs of the athletes. This means that athletes will not be risked being disqualified or having their licenses revoked. The FIS raised these sanctions last season if the logo were to be fully visible at the races.

The new model is booming

But the reporting didn't hurt sales. When the World Cup winter got underway last season, some of the products were sold out. The new ski was named H-POWER and is also intended to live up to the motto “racing for everyone”. “We are very proud of the new model,” says Hirscher. Because he and his business partners expect further growth, a new Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan Wiant, was appointed. The former president of Völkl, Marker and Dalbello has only been in office since the beginning of October.

“We are absolutely sure that we will drive with the logo at some point.” Race director Anton Giger

Hirscher experienced the first year of Van Deer-Red Bull Sports extremely intensively. The former alpine superstar was more nervous at home than during his own missions, he admitted. “I hope it gets better over the years.” The focus of his interest was primarily the Norwegian Kristoffersen, who made Hirscher's prophecy come true with his slalom victory in Garmisch-Partenkirchen last January. “This ski will win World Cup races,” said the Salzburg native at the Van Deer presentation in September 2021. In February 2023, after a brilliant comeback, Kristoffersen became Slalom World Champion for the first time in Courchevel.

Formerly competitors, now partners: Hirscher and Kristoffersen. © APA / BARBARA GINDL

The young dad was in a good mood and motivated for the coming season, which starts in a week in Sölden with a giant slalom on the Rettenbach glacier. “The preparation was really good, the material works great,” said the father of one son. He wants to win as many races as possible. “It can always be better.” Hirscher and Giger tended to lower their expectations. “For me it would be an incredibly great story if we could pick up where we left off last year,” said Hirscher.

Focus on a few athletes

There are currently no plans to integrate additional athletes of Kristoffersen's caliber into the stable, explained the Salzburg native. Hirscher: “We will remain rather small in order to be able to implement and deliver this service and professionalism.” The new addition is the young Swede Fabian Ax Swartz (19), along with Kristoffersen, his Norwegian compatriot Timon Haugan and the Briton Charlie Raposo . Hirscher regularly receives applications from interested men and women, whom he then has to put off. “We are a manufacturer,” he emphasized. “It will be very selective which athletes we work with.”

Integration into the ÖSV ski pool will also have to wait. Before the next transfer period can happen, “certain things need to be clarified,” reported Hirscher. “We are a smaller company, which means we have to divide our commitment a bit,” explained Giger. The ÖSV has signaled that the Augment brand should primarily be used to equip young ski jumping and combined skiers. “We’re investing a lot in that.”