Ski icon Hermann Maier: “Don’t rule out Hirscher’s comeback”

Maier took the opportunity to answer questions from journalists during the filming of a new Raiffeisen commercial at Brunnenmarkt in Vienna-Ottakring. “You can do that once in ten years,” said the “Herminator” with a wink. He is completely satisfied with his life and has no aches and pains. “It is said that competitive sport is murder. But in my case that’s not true.”

Tingling just more than desire for ski touring or cross-country skiing His resignation came as a surprise after an injury break two weeks before the start of the World Cup. In any case, he still doesn't regret his decision back then. “I've gained more, I don't miss anything. No black hole appeared. Before I started playing, I was used to working normally. So nothing has changed.” He gets around a lot, even in places where he had never been as an athlete.

Maier in action. © APA / HANS KLAUS TECHT

That's why when he watches ski races, he only feels a tingling sensation of wanting to go on a ski tour or cross-country skiing. And the memory becomes more and more blurry. What was more present was the surroundings at the time, not the victories. Of course, Maier also has more respect for the achievements from year to year. “You see it with a different eye than when I was driving myself. It was normal there. For me the pace was in slow motion, now in high speed.” Hirscher comeback realistic Now that his even more successful successor, Marcel Hirscher, has left, Maier doesn't believe that such series victories will come back so quickly. “It’s difficult on this scale. The level has been set very high. I believe that something like this will never happen again in skiing. You simply need this environment so that you can set absolute records.”

Hirscher had the environment, and Maier used a bon mot in connection with Hirscher's resignation: “What surprises me is that Marcel chose work and not pleasure. Because his skiing life was really a pleasure. Everything was done all around, all he needed was skiing.” However, he certainly believes his close compatriot can make a comeback. “I wouldn’t even rule it out.”

Maier also had something to say about the division between technical and speed races. “For me it’s like dressage and show jumping. If they have 25 races and the 15. Then it is not possible for a downhill skier to win the overall World Cup. In this form it's a bit outdated. The gap is too wide.” Abolishing the big ball is also not taboo for Maier.

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Ski icon Hermann Maier: “Don’t rule out Hirscher’s comeback”

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