Because of Hirscher: Heavy criticism from the German ski team

Slalom ace Linus Straßer is looking forward to competing with the Austrian, who is now competing for the Netherlands. However, the fact that he will immediately get a relatively good starting position as a prominent returnee thanks to a newly introduced rule is not right. According to Straßer, the wildcard rule is "very difficult"; head coach Christian Schwaiger finds it "absolutely bad".

The International Ski Federation (FIS) introduced a wildcard for the new season - some observers say precisely because of Hirscher. Drivers who have not raced for at least two years and who have won major titles in their career before that can apply for this. They are then allowed to start racing immediately after the first 30 starters. Many athletes fight for years to work their way up the starting list and benefit from a relatively good slope.

Hirscher's start in Sölden not yet fixed Wolfgang Maier, the sports director of the German Ski Association (DSV), criticized the fact that the wildcards were decided by the FIS under the controversial president Johan Eliasch without consultation or agreement with athletes and team representatives. "We are not against the wildcard in principle. But the way in which it was introduced is not okay," said the experienced official before the season opener in Sölden at the weekend.

Marcel Hirscher will make his comeback. © AFP / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND

There, the eight-time overall World Cup winner, world champion and Olympic gold medalist Hirscher could be back on the starting line for the first time after a five-year break. After being the world's best alpine athlete for Austria for years, he will now compete for the Netherlands, his mother's home country. He himself has not yet confirmed that he will actually compete in Sölden.

Straßer: Hirscher comeback “a huge PR deal” It is understandable that many are looking forward to the comeback, said Maier. "Of course it is sexy for the FIS when Hirscher is skiing again, and all the media will focus on it." Straßer sees it similarly. "Of course I also see that it is a huge PR thing, that it is good for the sport and the ratings. And I personally feel the same way: I am also watching it with excitement and I am interested to see where Marcel is now."

In terms of sport, Straßer has high hopes for the former World Cup dominator despite his long break. "Some people write Marcel off completely, which I don't understand at all. He is at least as physically fit as he was when he was active. He isn't ancient either, he is 35, which is the best age for sport."

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Because of Hirscher: Heavy criticism from the German ski team

Marcel Hirscher's return to the Alpine World Cup, made possible by a wildcard, has met with criticism in the German ski team.

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