Marcel Hirscher Image: Red Bull Content Pool
Hirscher Back on Skis
Marcel Hirscher returned to snow this week in Zoetermeer, Netherlands, 277 days after tearing the cruciate ligament in his left knee. The eight-time overall World Cup champion made his first turns inside the SnowWorld indoor ski hall, three meters below sea level, choosing the controlled slope to test his knee and equipment.
A Controlled Comeback
“We had the hall all to ourselves, with perfectly controlled conditions, a leveled slope, consistent snow, no surprises,” Hirscher said. “The snow conditions are the same all day long. Exactly what you need to test the knee and the setup.”
The first sessions focused on regaining the feeling for snow before moving into therapeutic and athletic work with dumbbells and kettlebells.
Relief After Nine Months
Hirscher admitted the road back has been emotional. “The weeks, days, and hours beforehand were an emotional rollercoaster, anticipation and tension. Like before a school exam or the last day of vacation.”
His support team drew their own conclusion from the first outing: the smile on his face said it all. “Nine months ago I was at rock bottom,” Hirscher said. “It was a tough break, but also a valuable learning experience. I’ve seen others with the same injury and how tough those small steps can be. That’s a part of life experience I was missing until now. I’m especially grateful I never had injuries in my first career.”
A Legendary Career
The 36-year-old Austrian retired in 2019 after winning 67 World Cup races and eight straight overall titles. Last season he returned to the circuit under the Dutch flag, honoring his mother’s heritage. The comeback ended early when he was injured in training after just three races.
Eyes on the Mountains
Despite the encouraging test, Hirscher knows the road back is long. “This didn’t yet have much to do with the skiing I’m used to,” he said. “The big question for the future will be: how much risk am I still willing to take, and can I still perform at that level?”
The next phase of his comeback will move outdoors. For now, Hirscher is waiting on conditions. “Like everyone else, we’re keeping a close eye on the weather apps to see where the next training block can take place. In this phase of the comeback, not only snow but also visibility is crucial. We’ll make the call at short notice.”
Motivation Restored
After his first runs back, Hirscher said the joy of skiing remains. The knee showed no negative reaction, and the test brought enormous relief. “If my knee could talk,” he said, “it would say: thank you for giving me nine months of rest, now it’s time to attack.”
Adapted from a release courtesy of Van Deer, Red Bull Sports, and FIS-ski.com
About the Author: SR Staff Report
