Marcel Hirscher’s return to the Alpine Skiing World Cup, five years after retiring, is causing a lot of discussion. It is not so much the highly publicized comeback of the eight-time winner of the great Crystal Globe that monopolizes the discussions, but the privileges enjoyed by the one who will ski next winter under his mother’s Dutch colors.
A week ago, the FIS validated the inclusion in its regulations of a “wild card”, which allows an athlete who has won a Globe or an Olympic or world gold medal to be guaranteed to start with bib 31 in the World Cup. And this, regardless of the FIS points he has on the clock and which normally count towards the establishment of the start lists.
Disadvantaged injured people
Swiss skiers, present last week in Dübendorf for the traditional Swiss-Ski pre-season advertising week, were unable to avoid the subject which is causing debate. “It’s a good thing for the ski world that Marcel Hirscher is returning to competition with the 31 for television. But the status is unfair for boys who have to get a place in the top 30,” says Marc Rochat.
The 9th best slalom skier on the planet is followed in his reasoning by his coach Matteo Joris. “It’s not fair for our sport when we see guys who are struggling to come back after a stupid injury and who then have to start with the 60. There, the regulations are not well done,” underlines the Aosta Valley coach who takes the example of slalom skier Victor Muffat-Jeandet. The Frenchman is struggling to find bibs corresponding to his level after a major injury suffered in Adelboden in January 2023, after having already been injured on the track unworthy of the high level of Zagreb in 2022.
Where is the sporting merit?
For Daniel Yule, the regulations from which Marcel Hirscher benefits “are not in the spirit of skiing”. “We must not lie to ourselves, it is not a coincidence that this rule appeared this year,” says the skier from Val Ferret who naturally promotes merit before careerism. “This is not right towards young people who are fighting for a place. A guy, who hasn’t been there for a while, comes in and we offer him 31. It’s not the most important sport in there.”
His colleague and friend Justin Murisier is just as vehement. “There are athletes who are coming back from injury, others who are fighting to earn a living. I get along well with Marcel, but we must not forget that he comes back for his own pleasure.” Le Bagnard bases his speech on the advantages that the 35-year-old Austro-Dutch champion already enjoys. “He has enough money and owns his company (editor’s note: Van Deer, a brand he created and which also equips Henrik Kristoffersen among others). We must not forget that he has not stopped skiing with his brand. He has never been injured during his career and, therefore, he must not be too far from the high level. Even with bib 60, he would have no problem qualifying in the second round.”
Beneficial for marketing and televisions
However, everyone agrees that the return of Marcel Hirscher, also coupled with that of the former Norwegian, now Brazilian Lucas Braathen, is beneficial for the image of skiing. “This will create a marketing boom, because everyone will watch the races,” continues Justin Murisier who will meet the two giant men in Sölden in three weeks. For Matteo Joris, the mere presence of Marcel Hirscher in the starting gate on the Rettenbach glacier will attract a large audience. “For the show, I am for seeing Marcel and his bib 31. There will be 5,000 more spectators in Sölden just to see him ski.”
Marc Rochat reminds us that ski racing needs such champions on its slopes. “I keep in mind Alberto Tomba who managed to get Sicilians to watch skiing. Hirscher and Braathen are phenomena and in the media it is very good. But I will still try not to be beaten by a Brazilian and a Dutchman.”
Johan Tachet, back from Dübendorf
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