Marcel Hirscher speaks in detail about a comeback for the first time. © ANSA / ROBIN UTRECHT

Marcel Hirscher’s ski comeback: “It will be different than before”

Marcel Hirscher will return to the ski stage as an active racer next season. This Wednesday, the eight-time overall World Cup winner spoke in detail about his comeback for the first time at a press conference in the Netherlands.

July 24, 2024

From: dl

"Not much has changed, I tested the Van Deer skis for our athletes," said Hirscher about the reasons for his return to skiing after five years of abstinence. "At the beginning of March, I didn't know that I was coming back. But when Lucas Braathen announced his comeback, I thought it would be cool to do a race here and there," explained the 35-year-old. After that, he didn't have much time to think about it. There were registration deadlines that Hirscher had to meet.

Hirscher gave the press conference in Zoetermeer, a municipality in South Holland, and spoke in both German and Dutch. Because his mother is Dutch, he will compete for Oranje in the future. Hirscher was interviewed on the podium by Maarten Meiners, a former Dutch ski racer who made it into the top 30 in the World Cup twice. Otherwise, there are currently no high-level riders there, while Hirscher might have challenged some young riders for a starting place in Austria.

"I don't look like I used to," explained Hirscher, who was asked about his thigh muscles. But there is a difference now: "I used to subordinate everything to skiing, but now skiing has to adapt to my life." Hirscher now has two children and two companies. There is no longer "just" the athlete Marcel Hirscher, as there used to be.

“I used to subordinate everything to skiing, but today skiing has to adapt to my life.” Marcel Hirscher

"I just love skiing. I can race with my own skis, what could be cooler?" says Hirscher. At the beginning of August he will travel to New Zealand to train as much as possible and to take part in his first races. "I'm excited to see how it will feel to wear a start number again," says Hirscher with a grin. And adds: "The youngsters will probably say: 'Ah, grandpa is here too.'" Hirscher still needs to collect a few FIS points to be allowed to compete in the World Cup again.