Marco Schwarz is working on his comeback. © ANSA / ANDREA SOLERO

When is Marco Schwarz coming back?

On his way back, Marco Schwarz has prescribed patience for himself.

September 26, 2024

From: apa

"I don't want to stress myself out. It will take some time," said Austria's ski star on Thursday from his rehab in Innsbruck about the comeback date. At the end of October, when the competition races in Sölden, Schwarz wants to start again on snow with "leisurely free skiing". It will be tight to get into top shape in time for the World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm in February (4th to 16th).

"It's in the back of my mind, but it's very far in the back of my mind," said Schwarz about the highlight of the upcoming ski season. "Ultimately, the home World Cup is a big goal, but I don't plan on stopping next year or the year after that. I want to keep going for a few more years. My body is too important to me to risk anything for a home World Cup." His focus for now is on making a pain-free return to snow. "Let's see how my knee and back react."

Setbacks upon setbacks

In December 2023, Schwarz fell on the Stelvio in Bormio as overall World Cup leader. The anterior cruciate ligament, the medial meniscus and the cartilage damage then had to be treated surgically. He had already overcome the knee injury, but then his back started to hurt. At the end of August, a disc was operated on after the lower leg had become numb after some waiting and rest.

“A slipped disc is not only caused by skiing. Everyone knows what back pain is.” Marco Black

After that, he had to rest for three weeks and do "very, very little training." Schwarz can only speculate about the cause. On the one hand, he says: "A slipped disc is not just caused by skiing. Everyone knows what back pain is." On the other hand, in addition to the usual wear and tear from work, knee rehab could be a reason. "If you make evasive movements during certain knee and everyday exercises for eight months, it affects the other structures."

Marco Schwarz was in top form before his cruciate ligament tear. © APA / EXPA/JOHANN GRODER

He also reflected on the intense stress of being an all-round rider. "In life, you always learn something new. In certain phases, it certainly doesn't do any harm to focus more on regeneration," said the 29-year-old. "You definitely have to question certain things." Ultimately, he was always ready to start, but the workload will be different in his comeback year. "I'm sure I'll have to scale back a bit in the near future."

Mentally, he feels in good hands despite all the setbacks around him. But "of course it's been a very tough year. Getting back on skis for the first time after seven months was an incredibly cool feeling. Going under the knife again a few weeks later was a real setback." So far, he has "always remained positive and surprisingly never fallen into a hole."

What about Hirscher?

Schwarz has heard media reports that Marcel Hirscher is struggling with problems in his comeback preparations. "Marcel has always played it down a bit and wasn't always among the fastest in training. I'm not worried that he won't be in good shape by the time the races start." Regarding the fabulous reports about Marco Odermatt, who is said to be fitter than ever with a new fitness coach, Schwarz said: "I'm happy for everyone who's doing well."