Marco Schwarz: GEPA pictures
Information from Kleine Zeitung (Austria)
Marco Schwarz Targets Olympic Comeback With Focus on Technical Events
Atomic athlete and Austrian ski star Marco Schwarz says he’s pain-free and ready to attack the 2025–26 Olympic season with renewed confidence. Speaking at a media event hosted by his main sponsor, UNIQA, Schwarz said he plans to open the season competing in giant slalom, slalom, and super-G, while skipping downhill at first to stay focused on his strengths.
Back on Track After Two Serious Injuries
Schwarz, 30, from Carinthia, told Kleine Zeitung that he hasn’t felt knee pain since late June — an important milestone after a pair of major setbacks: a torn cruciate ligament in December 2023 and disc surgery in August 2024.
“By the end of our training camp in Chile, I wasn’t even thinking about my knee anymore,” Schwarz said. “That’s the best sign.”
Looking back, he admitted frustration with his comeback last season, which included six top-10 finishes but no podiums in the World Cup or World Championships. “There was hardly any preparation,” he said. “I fought for a long time, and overall, it was very mixed — except for the giant slalom.”
A Step-by-Step Approach
Before his injuries, Schwarz was Austria’s top all-around hope for the overall World Cup title. This season, he’s keeping expectations realistic. “My goal is to work my way back in all three disciplines,” he said. “Once my starting position is where it should be, then we can talk about the big (overall) globe again.”
Schwarz spent five productive weeks in Chile over the summer, training speed in La Parva before shifting to El Colorado for technical work. He praised the “great atmosphere” among Austria’s training groups and said he feels strongest right now in giant slalom.
Holding Onto Slalom
Some within the Austrian team have suggested that Schwarz might drop slalom to focus on speed events, but he isn’t ready to make that trade-off. “That was his idea, not mine,” he said with a grin about head coach Marko Pfeifer. “I still believe I can ski fast turns.”
After sliding down the slalom rankings, Schwarz knows he’ll have to fight his way up again, starting with a high bib number in the 30s. “We saw with Lucas Braathen that start position can improve quickly when the form is right,” he said, referencing the former Norwegian racer now competing for Brazil.
Building Toward Speed
Schwarz’s long-term “speed project,” which began three years ago, remains part of his plan — but he intends to move gradually. “I’ll definitely do some downhill training,” he said, adding that it will help his super-G racing without putting unnecessary stress on his body early in the season.
The World Cup season begins Oct. 25–26 in Sölden, Austria, and Schwarz’s focus is clear: rebuild his rhythm, regain his edge, and return to the front of the field by the time the Olympic season hits full stride.
Information translated from German. Information for this story was provided by Kleine Zeitung (Austria), with reporting by Daniel Jerovsek.
About the Author: SR Staff Report
