The skier is preparing to make his comeback.Keystone
The Austrian maestro, who retired 5 years ago, is back in the colors of the Netherlands. His state of form excites the small world of alpine skiing.
Follow me
“If there is one skier who can race, it’s Marcel Hirscher.” This sentence is signed Daniel Yule, aware that the Austrian and his eight globes in the general classification of the World Cup know where he is putting his spatulas.
For the monster Hirscher, who “confiscated” the World Cup for eight years, it is above all a question of pure pleasure to describe his return. But Daniel Yule is not fooled: “Even if he says he comes back for fun, he has ambitions to shine.”
By dint of surveying skiers, coaches, reading multiple opinions and information from New Zealand, Marcel Hirscher would be dropped after disappointing training. Don’t panic, the Austrian assures, in the show “Sport und Talk im Hangar 7” on Servus TV, “that he is missing almost 4 seconds to secure a top 15”, he remains confident about his progress.
“Sooner or later I will be there”
Marcel Hirscher
Slalom specialist Marc Rochat has heard mixed opinions: “Some say he is capable of skiing hard, others think the opposite.”
Words, misinformation? There is only one reality: the stopwatch. But the length of time Hirscher has been away from the slopes could require a period of adaptation. The Vaudois puts his finger “on the time that has passed and the evolution of the material”. At 35, the years have taken a toll on her body and her ability to cut curves close to perfection. But today, the pace would be too sustained: “I think he will have difficulty being consistent,” analyzes Marc Rochat.
But he remains convinced that on today’s form, Hirscher can do damage:
“He can qualify and get a top-ranked result”
Marc Rochat
The former Wunderteam star assures that it is no longer about winning. According to Matteo Joris, these speeches should be taken with a grain of salt: “I am sure that if he is at the start, he will let out the beast that sleeps in him. Marcel is like Valentino Rossi: he will give everything.”
Rumors and controversies
If the question of form is a big question mark, one of them has been lifted by the International Ski Federation (FIS): a wild card has been issued to Hirscher for the Sölden giant. He can count on the leniency of the FIS authorities for a favorable bib (the 31st) in Sölden. But his departure on the Rettenbach glacier is dotted, according to the latest information.
Skiers deplored the privileges reserved for the former superstar. A small controversy arose, but it quickly evaporated.
In the process, other somewhat crazy rumors appeared. Some skiers interviewed told us about a transalpine rumor, which appeared just before the announcement of the Austrian’s return. Hard to believe, but Hirscher reportedly received a large fee from two wealthy men, sports fans who bet on Hirscher’s return. A story to be taken conditionally.
Marcel Hirscher.Image: Instagram
If others are still talking about a publicity stunt to highlight his Van Deer ski brand, or even a Red Bull marketing operation, Daniel Yule wants to be more logical in his thinking:
“Life as an athlete is still cool: we are pampered to be at the top of our form. Marcel may have discovered less pleasant aspects during his post-career.
Daniel Yule.
The limelight, a staff at his side, the future supercharged atmosphere of the Saalbach Worlds (in February 2025) in his sights, factors which can boost a return to business.
A slalomit will be harder
The fantastic skier from Annaberg certainly did not sign up to make up the numbers. He also expressed his desire to compete in giant and slalom. But his return with short skis could be complicated. “In slalom, everything is at the limit,” analyzes Matteo Joris, “while in giant slalom there is more space.”
Understand that his divine talent could not be enough in slalom. His extraordinary feet would no longer have the same dynamism as before. Conversely, as a giant, his feeling could open the doors to a second round. “A top 15 would already be good for him,” confirms Joris.
What if this comeback was just a goodbye? “I didn’t have a farewell year,” he confessed on Servus TV. It’s hard to believe that he is returning to a World Cup gate to greet his fans and take care of his exit.
More sports articles
Show all articles
This might also interest you:
