Marcel Hirscher about the Sölden World Cup: “I question that”

For many in the business, it seems inevitable that the period for top alpine sport will also be pushed back. “It’s clear to me that winter has moved backwards,” said former superstar Marcel Hirscher. “It will certainly be exciting in Sölden in the future: How long can we keep this date?”, interjected ÖSV men’s racing director Marko Pfeifer.

Since the 1990s, the Alpine World Cup starts regularly at the end of October with two giant slalom races in Sölden. This year the time has come this coming weekend. “Does it really have to be a race at the end of October? "Isn't the end of November enough and why not the last race at 2.000 meters above sea level in mid-April, end of April?" said Hirscher in a conversation with Austria Press Agency (APA) as part of his DTM guest appearance. “I really question that. Also this overseas training – is it really necessary? If we didn’t increase the time pressure so much with a race on October 26th, then no one would have this stress.” The ski industry benefits Hirscher is therefore in line with the position of the Austrian Ski Association. “It will be necessary to adjust the periodization of training and racing operations. This should be quite easy to implement, especially in the junior series,” said General Secretary Christian Scherer recently Tiroler Tageszeitung . The ÖSV wants to advocate for exactly this in the relevant FIS committees. “The question is whether it wouldn’t work two weeks later.” ÖSV men's racing director Marko Pfeifer According to Pfeifer, the Sölden appointment definitely has a solid background. “As we hear from everywhere, it is very important for the entire ski industry,” said the Carinthian. He basically spoke of a starting signal that signaled to the public that people should “go to the store and buy skis again. The question is whether it wouldn’t work two weeks later.” The Rettenbachferner also “suffers” The extremely hot summer of 2022, combined with the drought, has affected the glaciers in the Alps more than in most other years. This led to accelerated melting processes, landslides and the disappearance of large amounts of ice. The Rettenbachferner in the Ötztal Alps is still in comparatively good shape, but has also receded several meters per year in the recent past. The meltwater lake in front of the glacier began to form in the hot summer of 2015 - it has now reached a considerable size. Ski slopes had to be relocated and adapted again and again. It is no coincidence that Germany's former ski hero Felix Neureuther advocates a training stop on the glaciers between June and September.

Alpine skiing is already under increased scrutiny when it comes to climate protection - including when it comes to the question of snowmaking and how much energy is used. Not every coming summer will be like this year, which broke many records associated with heat. However, the number of days with low temperatures that are needed to produce artificial snow in the months before core winter will generally decrease in the future. “The pressure that is imposed is artificially generated and you could take it out a bit,” said overall World Cup record winner Hirscher, who is entering the World Cup as an entrepreneur with his Van Deer brand this year.

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Marcel Hirscher about the Sölden World Cup: “I question that”

Winter sports are facing massive changes, not least because of climate change. But there's nothing to be seen in Sölden these days.

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