Ski legend Marcel Hirscher. © ANSA / ANDREA SOLERO

Marcel Hirscher is pleased by the surprising rule change

At the beginning of August, Marcel Hirscher will travel to New Zealand to work towards his comeback. Now the International Ski Federation is making it easier for him to return to the World Cup – due to a curious rule change.

July 27, 2024

From: det/apa

It is probably the most spectacular comeback in the history of skiing. Marcel Hirscher will return to the World Cup after five years of retirement. But such a comeback is not without its challenges. Getting back on track after so many years is a big challenge. Just like collecting the points needed to even be allowed to compete in the World Cup or to move up the starting list.

Marcel Hirscher could now be spared the calculations. The FIS, the International Ski Federation, is planning a revolutionary change. The 35-year-old Austrian, who will now compete for the Netherlands, could be eligible for a wildcard next season.

Hirscher is back in action. © APA/afp / ROBIN UTRECHT

An update to the regulations allows former athletes to apply for wildcards. To do so, the athletes must have won either the overall World Cup, the World Cup in a discipline, or gold at the Olympic Games or World Championships. In addition, the athletes must have been officially inactive for at least two, but no more than ten years.

Starting as 31st runner

Hirscher meets all the requirements of the International Ski Federation FIS and could therefore start with a wildcard for a maximum of one season as the 31st runner in the first run in the respective discipline. This is an excellent starting position, as the slopes are usually still in good condition, while the higher start numbers often struggle. The introduction of the wildcard has not yet been finally approved by the FIS Council, but this is now only a formality.

The idea was put forward by athlete spokespersons Verena Stuffer and Daniel Yule, and FIS President Johan Eliasch was immediately impressed. Lucas Braathen does not benefit from this rule change: he only took a year off and is therefore one season too few to fall into this category.