Austrian skier Hirscher to return: "I'm keen, but..."

Letting the Cat Out of the Bag: A Chat with Marcel Hirscher about His Future in Skiing

Marcel Hirscher, the legendary eight-time overall World Cup winner, seems undecided about making a comeback to the alpine ski racing scene. The 36-year-old Salzburg native shared his thoughts during a candid conversation on ServusTV's Sport & Talk show on Monday evening.

After a five-year break, Hirscher returned to the slopes last fall, racing under the Netherlands' flag, his mother's home country. In his first race of the season, he finished 23rd in the giant slalom in Sölden. However, things didn't go as planned in the subsequent races, and on December 2nd, he tore his left knee's anterior cruciate ligament during training on Reiteralm.

Daily Progress after the Setback

Hirscher reported "daily progress" in his recovery, stating, "Rehab has a meaning with an ACL injury, it goes a little more each day. Today, I was able to jog for the first time." But the road to full recovery still requires more work. As Hirscher put it, "It's like having a puzzle in front of me that is already quite full, but to really say it fits, it needs a few more puzzle pieces."

The next season, featuring the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, won't be a deciding factor in Hirscher's comeback. The Salzburg native has made it clear that "I was never a big fan of the Olympics. So that has no priority." Instead, the joy of the sport motivates him, with races such as Schladming and Kitzbühel holding a special place in his heart.

In September, doctors and therapists expect Hirscher to be able to make turns again. Whether he will return to the alpine Ski World Cup remains unclear.

A New Chapter for "Van Deer"

While Hirscher's skiing future is uncertain, his business ventures are on the rise. In a surprise announcement on Instagram, Hirscher's ski company "Van Deer" revealed the addition of a new team member. The cryptic posting "'GRESKI'" generated curiosity among followers. During the ServusTV visit, Hirscher finally spilled the beans, revealing that a "very, very cool guy, a great character, and a very good skier" would be joining their team. The shocking reveal? The 2023 World Championship silver medalist in slalom, AJ Ginas (30), who is leaving his position at "Fischer" to join "Van Deer."

Enrichment Insights:

As Hirscher ponders his return to the alpine ski racing world, other exciting developments unfold. His company "Van Deer" has partnered with Red Bull Sports, now a part of the Austria Skipool, supporting athletes in the Austrian ski team[1]. Though Hirscher plans to compete under the Dutch flag, there are whispers of his potential return to the FIS Alpine World Cup[2]. Meanwhile, young ski racing talents are taking center stage at the Whistler Cup[3], while the top alpine ski racers continue to dazzle audiences in the Audi FIS Ski World Cup[4].

Marcel Hirscher revealed that he has been able to jog for the first time in his recovery from a knee injury, indicating daily progress in his rehab.
The eight-time World Cup winner, Hirscher, shared during a talk show that he has no priority in competing at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, stating his preference for races like Schladming and Kitzbühel.
In a surprising move, Hirscher's ski company, "Van Deer," announced the addition of a new team member, revealing it to be AJ Ginas, the 2023 World Championship silver medalist in slalom, who is leaving his position at "Fischer" to join "Van Deer."
Looking beyond skiing, Hirscher's company "Van Deer" has partnered with Red Bull Sports, now a part of the Austria Skipool, to support athletes in the Austrian ski team.