Austrian alpine skiing star Marcel Hirscher is no stranger to being at the forefront of a global ski race, but how did the retired legend handle being a forerunner at the legendary Hahnenkamm downhill down the fearsome Streif course in Kitzbühel?

The hype around the 82nd edition of the iconic Hahnenkamm weekend went up a level with the news that eight-time FIS World Cup overall champion Hirscher was to return for his ‘last great adventure’. Hirscher, who retired in 2019 with two Olympic golds and seven World Championship titles to his name, fulfilled a dream by speeding down the iconic Streif course as an official course forerunner on Friday morning.

With a further Olympic silver medal, four World Championship silvers, 12 other FIS World Cup discipline titles and 67 World Cup race wins, the Salzburg native is widely regarded as the best alpine skier of all time. Nevertheless, the 32-year-old has always dreamed of becoming one with a racecourse on two skis and there was only one course he believed was right for the task – the challenging Streif run.

“Kitzbühel has always been the last great adventure for me in skiing,” said Hirscher. “The Streif experience was still missing for me. This myth absolutely has its justification and, as a successful skier, you want to be able to have your say there. The slalom is a zigzag that constantly decides between failing and getting through. In contrast, here for the first time, I have the feeling that I am in harmony with the course. The gates are only there to point in any direction. Ultimately, however, the track itself sets your rhythm. This feeling of being part of the track is mega nice!”

Hirscher’s career path of either targeting the technical or speed events was decided around the age of 15 and he went on to become the most dominant slalom and giant slalom skier of his generation. Despite perfecting one aspect of skiing, he did not take his latest challenge lightly and planned meticulously with the help of a well-rehearsed team and former FIS World Cup circuit friends.

“It was clear that if I ever had the chance to race here, I had to take it. It’s a huge privilege,” he said. “We knew that if we tackled The Streif, we had to take it very seriously and implement it in the most professional way. Hats off to any downhill racer, man or woman. It’s an insane challenge in terms of courage. The downhill skier is simply a wild animal.”

Hirscher’s fitness is still excellent and accordingly the speed rookie had the number “F3.” His role as a forerunner helped to provide crucial information about the course conditions to the race directors. As Hirscher admitted: “It’s not about being fast, it’s just about having fun!”

Release courtesy of Red Bull.