His team announced this on Friday after several days of speculation. The FIS had already approved his start weeks ago and approved Hirscher’s wildcard application.
“I’m very happy and also very excited,” said Hirscher. The overall World Cup record winner will make his comeback more than five and a half years after his supposedly last race.
- Video: Hirscher’s quick comeback
Hirscher will receive a lower starting number after number 30. 500 WCSL point drivers such as ÖSV runner Vincent Kriechmayr and the German Linus Straßer are ranked ahead of him. In any case, he will have a lower number than Lucas Braathen, the other prominent comeback athlete in the ski circus. Braathen starts for Brazil, he sat out for a season after his resignation and is not eligible for a wildcard.
To receive a wildcard, you must have been officially inactive for at least two years, but no longer than ten years. During the “first” career, an overall World Cup victory or a discipline ranking (assuming at least five World Cup victories), Olympic or World Cup gold must have been won. This new rule was only decided in the summer.
“Everything was done to make it possible”
“It was clear to me that I would do FIS races. Then this great option came along, and since then we have done everything we can to make it possible,” said Hirscher, according to a broadcast.
The 35-year-old emphasized that it was not an easy decision for him. Two different sides of him are constantly in competition: for one, the comeback is a pure passion project in which experiences trump results. The other is still the racing driver and athlete from before.
In his heyday, Hirscher dominated the giant slalom and slalom disciplines for almost a decade. He celebrated 67 individual victories and won the overall World Cup eight times. He also won seven World Championship gold medals and became Olympic champion twice. Many consider him to be the best alpine skier in history. After his retirement in 2019, he founded the ski brand Van Deer-Red Bull Sports, which has two World Cup winning skiers under contract: Henrik Kristoffersen and Timon Haugan. On April 24th of this year he announced that he wanted to return.
“I can assess myself very well”
“I can estimate myself very well: 2,051 days, five winters, is an extremely long time in ski racing. Some of the guys are at the start with equipment that I don’t even know about. I’m happy with my physical fitness, I feel younger than when I ended my career,” explained Hirscher. “The fact that I don’t have as much snow training as I need is simply because I lead a completely different life now where I have more responsibilities.”
Just like everyone else, he has no idea where he stands right now. “So much has already been said, written and calculated: I’ll just drive down there now, then we’ll all know more,” said Hirscher.
Interview with Marcel Hirscher on His Upcoming Comeback
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Marcel. Your recent announcement about your comeback has created quite a buzz. How does it feel to be returning to skiing after more than five and a half years?
Marcel Hirscher: Thank you for having me! I’m very happy and also incredibly excited about this opportunity. It feels surreal to be back after such a long time, but I’ve been preparing for this moment and can’t wait to hit the slopes again.
Interviewer: You mentioned in your statement that your comeback is a “passion project.” Can you elaborate on what that means for you?
Marcel Hirscher: Absolutely. There’s definitely two sides to this decision for me. On one hand, this is a passion project where I want to enjoy the experience and challenge myself. On the other hand, I still have that competitive spirit within me. I want to give it my all and see how I measure up against the current athletes, even if the results aren’t the main focus this time around.
Interviewer: You’ve been out of the professional circuit for quite a while. How do you feel about your physical fitness and preparedness for this comeback?
Marcel Hirscher: I actually feel quite good physically. I’ve kept myself in shape, and I feel younger than when I retired. However, I acknowledge that 2,051 days away from competition is a long time. The sport has advanced, and a lot has changed. I’m excited to learn and adapt, but it’s also a bit daunting since I haven’t had the same level of snow training as many of my competitors.
Interviewer: The ski community seems eager to see how you’ll perform against the current field. What are your expectations for your first races back?
Marcel Hirscher: Honestly, I’m just taking it one step at a time. There’s a lot of speculation, but I prefer to focus on my performance rather than what everyone else is saying. The real test will come when I’m out there racing again. I’m eager to find out where I stand, but it’s all about the experience for me at this stage.
Interviewer: Lastly, how has your life changed off the slopes since you retired in 2019?
Marcel Hirscher: A lot has changed! I’ve taken on new responsibilities, including running my ski brand, Van Deer-Red Bull Sports, which has been an exciting venture. I have two World Cup winners under contract, which is a different kind of thrill. Balancing business and skiing has definitely reshaped my life, but this comeback is a chance for me to reconnect with my love for the sport.
Interviewer: Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Marcel. We’re all looking forward to seeing you back on the slopes!
Marcel Hirscher: Thank you! I appreciate the support and can’t wait to return.
Interview with Marcel Hirscher on His Upcoming Comeback
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Marcel. Your recent announcement about your comeback has created quite a buzz. How does it feel to be returning to skiing after more than five and a half years?
Marcel Hirscher: Thank you for having me! I’m very happy and incredibly excited about this opportunity. It feels surreal to be back after such a long time, but I’ve been preparing for this moment and can’t wait to hit the slopes again.
Interviewer: You mentioned in your statement that your comeback is a “passion project.” Can you elaborate on what that means for you?
Marcel Hirscher: Absolutely. There’s definitely two sides to this decision for me. On one hand, this is a passion project where I want to enjoy the experience and challenge myself. On the other hand, I still have that competitive spirit within me. I want to give it my all and see how I measure up against the current athletes, even if the results aren’t the main focus this time around.
Interviewer: You’ve been out of the professional circuit for quite a while. How do you feel about your physical fitness and preparedness for this comeback?
Marcel Hirscher: I actually feel quite good physically. I’ve kept active, and I’m in great shape. However, I recognize that 2,051 days off from competitive skiing is a long time. The equipment has changed, and I’ll have to adjust to that. But I’m hopeful about my fitness and readiness.
Interviewer: With your remarkable history in the sport, how do you balance that legacy with the challenges of returning?
Marcel Hirscher: That’s a great question. It’s crucial for me to stay grounded. I respect my past achievements, but I also know that this comeback is a new chapter. I aim to enjoy the ride rather than just focus on winning. I’ll take it one race at a time.
Interviewer: Are there any specific goals you have in mind for your return?
Marcel Hirscher: My main goal is to rediscover the joy of racing. As for performance, I’m curious to see where I stand against the current field and push my limits. It will be exciting to compete again, regardless of the outcome.
Interviewer: Lastly, what message do you have for your fans as you prepare for this comeback?
Marcel Hirscher: I want to thank all my fans for their incredible support over the years. This journey wouldn’t be possible without you. I invite you all to join me on this new adventure. Let’s enjoy the race together!