Marcel Hirscher is also tackling the first slalom of the new World Cup season. As the eight-time overall ski World Cup winner announced, he will be at the start in Levi (Finland) on Sunday (10/13, live ORF 1).
Arrival only on Friday
“Levi, like Sölden, is an indicator of where I stand in terms of sport after an extremely long absence,” explained Hirscher, who came 23rd in the giant slalom in Sölden on his comeback after a break of over five years and thus immediately scored World Cup points. The 35-year-old, eight-time overall World Cup winner, only wants to travel to Levi on Friday and do some snow training on site on Saturday – the women’s race day.
“I’m continually making small progress in the material and in my skiing, and I’m happy with that,” said Hirscher after “great training days under World Cup conditions” on the Kitzsteinhorn and on the Reiteralm. He has triumphed on the “Levi Black” slope three times (2013, 2016, 2018). If time permits, he also wants to pay a visit to “his” reindeer Ferdl, Leo and Mr. Snow – the winner in Lapland wins a baby reindeer sponsorship.
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**Interview with Marcel Hirscher: Preparing for the First Slalom of the World Cup Season**
**Editor:** Welcome, Marcel! It’s exciting to see you back on the slopes after such a long break. How are you feeling about your upcoming race in Levi?
**Marcel Hirscher:** Thank you! I’m feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. Levi is a crucial race for me, just like Sölden was. It gives me an idea of where I stand after my time away from racing.
**Editor:** You’ve mentioned that Sölden was an indicator for you—how do you think you performed there?
**Marcel Hirscher:** Coming in 23rd and scoring points was a solid start. It’s a good foundation to build upon, especially after being out of competition for over five years. I’m focusing on making consistent progress in my skiing and equipment.
**Editor:** You’ll be arriving in Levi only on Friday. What does your schedule look like leading up to the race?
**Marcel Hirscher:** I’ll travel to Levi on Friday and plan to do some snow training on Saturday, which is the women’s race day. It’s important for me to get a feel for the conditions on the “Levi Black” slope.
**Editor:** You’ve had some notable successes on that slope in the past. What do you think gives you an edge there?
**Marcel Hirscher:** I’ve won there three times, which definitely gives me some confidence. The slope suits my style, and having experience there helps with knowing what to expect—every detail counts in slalom racing.
**Editor:** Outside of racing, you mentioned wanting to visit your reindeer—how special is that for you?
**Marcel Hirscher:** It’s a fun tradition! If time permits, I’d love to see Ferdl, Leo, and Mr. Snow. It’s nice to have a little connection to the place beyond just the competition.
**Editor:** Best of luck in Levi, Marcel! We look forward to seeing how you perform.
**Marcel Hirscher:** Thank you very much! I appreciate the support. It’s going to be an exciting weekend!