Marcel Hirscher is working towards his comeback. © WWW.REDBULLMEDIAHOUSE.COM / LEGS OF STEEL

Marcel Hirscher cancels camp in New Zealand

Marcel Hirscher is aiming for the skiing comeback of the century. But the Austrian superstar has now surprisingly canceled a training camp in New Zealand.

August 25, 2024

From: apa/det

The skiing world was looking eagerly to the other side of the world these days. Marcel Hirscher had set up his training camp in New Zealand, where he was supposed to make his comeback at FIS races after a five-year break from competition. But that didn't happen: the 35-year-old broke off the training camp and returned home.

The reason for this? Apparently the poor snow and weather conditions in Coronet Peak, where Hirscher trained with his team. "We traveled to Coronet Peak as planned, but we saw on site that it would have made little sense to stay longer due to the borderline snow conditions and the weather forecast. So we decided to fly home a few days earlier than planned," said Hirscher.

The first race has to wait

After two weeks of ideal training conditions, the 35-year-old, who will be racing for the Netherlands in the future, will have to wait for his first race. The eight-time overall World Cup winner is no longer under pressure to qualify. Thanks to a controversial wildcard, he does not have to collect any points in the run-up to the World Cup season, which begins in Sölden in October.

Marcel Hirscher could generate new ski fans in the Netherlands. © WWW.REDBULLMEDIAHOUSE.COM / LEGS OF STEEL

The nine days of snow in New Zealand were very successful, Hirscher confirmed. "The long journey was absolutely worth it: We had great conditions right up until the end and we learned a lot of important lessons from the two weeks of testing and training in Roundhill and Ohau. We have a plan for what to do at home - mission accomplished," said the Salzburg native.

Nice reunion

He also considers the New Zealand trip a success for other reasons. "It was really good to be an athlete among athletes again and to meet so many people I knew from the skiing scene on the slopes: Timon Haugan, Lucas Braathen, Alice Robinson, the technicians from the US ski team and many others."