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Countdown to the Comeback

Marcel Hirscher will return to the World Cup stage this Sunday in Sölden, ending a 2,051-day break from competitive racing. The eight-time World Cup champion approaches this race without the heavy burden of past expectations, ready to embrace the thrill of competition once again. “So much has been said, written, and calculated,” Hirscher remarked. “I’ll just go down there now, and then we’ll all know more.”

A Wildcard Opportunity Opens the Door

Hirscher only decided after FIS granted him a wildcard spot this summer, allowing the legendary racer a surprise entry into the World Cup opener. “I knew I would race in FIS events,” he said. “Then the option came up, and since then, we’ve tried everything to make it possible.”

This decision didn’t come easily. Hirscher balanced his passion for the sport against the demands of his new roles, including his work with VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports. “Two versions of myself are clashing inside me,” he admitted. “One loves this passion project of racing for pure joy, collecting moments instead of results. But the racer and fighter I used to be still exists. Just thinking about the countdown in the start house brings the adrenaline right back.”

Stepping into a Changed Ski Racing World

Hirscher understands his return won’t match his record-breaking past. With five winters gone since his last race, he recognizes the evolution of the sport. “The guys at the start now are on equipment I don’t even know,” he said. Hirscher devoted minimal time to snow training, fitting in only nine days in New Zealand and another eight days over the last two months. His role at VAN DEER has shifted his focus to building ski technology for the next generation, but his team has rallied to support his comeback. “We’ve pushed as far as we could go,” he said, underscoring his team’s effort in this return.

Eyes on the Experience, Not Expectations

Hirscher enters Sunday’s race without specific goals or pressure, eager to test his mettle against the field. “I’m like everyone else; I have no idea where I stand now,” he admitted. “The only way to find out is to race.”

Rather than aiming for the top of the podium, Hirscher hopes Sölden will show him exactly where he stands. “I want to be more like Marcel and less like Hirscher, the racehorse I used to be,” he explained. Now 35, Hirscher relishes this unexpected opportunity to compete on the World Cup circuit again, fully aware of the mountain ahead.

Information courtesy of Bull Sports Press.