Photo Credit: Joerg Mitter / Red Bull Content Pool
Marcel Hirscher, the eight-time Overall World Cup globe winner for Austria, is surprisingly returning to ski racing, this time representing the Netherlands. During a July 24 press conference, Hirscher shared his thoughts and plans for this new chapter in his career.
Not a Comeback, But a Passion Project
“For me, this is not a comeback, but a project close to my heart,” the ski legend stated Wednesday. “I don’t want to pick up where I left off; I just want to enjoy and participate from time to time.”
Because he considers his return to ski racing as a “passion project,” Hirscher does not like the “C-word” (comeback). He did not want to return to the Austrian ski team, even though the possibility was there, because he did not want to take a spot on the Austrian team away from a young athlete, Hirscher explained according to the Krone.at.
The Dutch Connection
Hirscher met with the press at the Dutch indoor ski arena at SnowWorld Zoetermeer, near Haag in the Netherlands. The Dutch Ski Association (NSkiV) also organized a meet-and-greet event with Hirscher for the Dutch fans after the press event, as “requests for a meet-and-greet have poured in,” according to an NSkiV announcement. Hirscher continues to be a great role model for Dutch ski racers, the NskiV states.
Hirscher’s Return Announced
Hirscher surprised the ski racing world by announcing his return to racing in April this year. In addition to his eight consecutive World Cup overall titles, he has also won seven World Championship titles, two Olympic gold medals, 67 World Cup victories and 12 crystal globes in slalom and giant slalom.
The successful ski racer started his Wednesday press conference by speaking a few words in Dutch and seemed relaxed. However, afterward, he shared that he was nervous as he had not spoken Dutch in a long time and not in front of so many people, the Krone.at reports.
Hirscher holds dual citizenship in the Netherlands and Austria, as these are his mother’s and father’s native countries, respectively.
“After racing 99 percent of my races for my homeland, it’s nice to do 1 percent for my motherland”, Hirscher told the media.
Inspired by Lucas Braathen
“When Lucas Braathen announced his return, I thought it would be cool to race here and there,” Hirscher explained Wednesday.
The Dutch-Austrian ski legend feels relaxed and enthusiastic about his return to ski racing. However, while satisfied with his physical fitness now, he said it has been hard to return to a high fitness level after the long break from racing.
The great sportsman knows that things will be different from the past. According to Krone.at, Hirscher returns to racing with a professional attitude but with a different focus than in the past: “I want to collect memories and no longer chase hundredths.”
“My career has been over for five years; I am 35, have two children, and have two companies. Ski racing now has to fit into my life — and not the other way around,” Hirscher explains in a July 24 VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports blog post.
Upcoming Plans and Training
Hirscher plans to travel to New Zealand on August 9 to train with a small team before competing in a few FIS races.
According to welovesnow.ch, Hirscher plans to return to racing at Coronet Peak, New Zealand on August 15. According to the FIS race schedule, there will be two giant slalom FIS races, followed by two FIS slalom competitions, including the New Zealand national championship in slalom, on August 15.-19.
Hirscher needs to lower his FIS points to be allowed to start in World Cup competitions.
“We are flying to New Zealand with a small but excellent team. We will see whether it is enough for Sölden,” Hirscher said Wednesday, according to welovesnow.ch. The World Cup opener in Sölden, Austria is scheduled for October 27, the day after the women’s season opener.
“A lot of young racers will definitely start and ask themselves what grandpa is doing there,” he joked about the age difference to other competitors at his upcoming FIS races, the Krone.at reports.
The future is uncertain: “Nobody can say what happens in five months,” Hirscher stated Wednesday, according to Krone.at.
Racing on His Own Ski Brand
Hirscher, the man behind the VAN DEER ski equipment brand, is looking forward to racing on the equipment he has helped develop and test since the brand’s start. His father and highly skilled sports scientists like Toni Giger have contributed to developing the VAN DEER race skis. Additionally, Red Bull is a part of the development team.
While in New Zealand, Hirscher will continue with the product testing. “We have some important development steps to take with our material that will have an impact on the setup philosophy. In these phases, every meter we can test on snow counts,” Hirscher explains in the VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports blog.
In addition to Hirscher, world-class Norwegian racers Henrik Kristoffersen and Timon Haugan, as well as Swedish youngster Fabian Ax Swartz, compete on the VAN DEER equipment.
Recently, VAN DEER signed Spanish racer Aleix Aubert Serracanta, who is arriving from Rossignol. The 19-year-old is ranked 110th in the world in giant slalom and 253rd in slalom, according to the 2nd FIS points list for the new 2024/25 season. Aubert Serracanta started in 11 European Cup races during the 2023/24 season but has yet to score EC points. However, during the past season, he recorded victories and podium results in several European FIS races.
Familiar Faces and Passion for Ski Racing
Upon his return to ski racing, Hirscher will reunite with fellow VAN DEER racers, World Cup competitors he already knows, and familiar support staff from around the world. Retired VAN DEER racer Charlie Raposo from Great Britain will also be present, now managing Brazil’s Lucas Braathen.
As ski racers worldwide know, it is not only the thrill and love for the sport that keep you close to alpine skiing, but also the great friendships made along the way.
Hirscher describes his return to competitive alpine ski racing as a project close to his heart. He wishes to collect memories, and his return will hopefully bring him precisely that.
Sources: Krone.at, Skiweltcup.tv, welovesnow.ch, FIS-ski.com, nskiv.nl, vandeer-redbull-sports.com
About the Author: Bente Bjørnsen Sherlock
