Hirscher is Back
29th July 2024
Five years after retiring from racing the Austrian ski legend, Marcel Hirscher, is back. He plans to race for the Netherlands and is heading to New Zealand this summer in…
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Five years after retiring from racing the Austrian ski legend, Marcel Hirscher, is back.
He plans to race for the Netherlands and is heading to New Zealand this summer in preparation.
We reported on his likely return back in April on PlanetSKI:
“There wasn’t much time to think because of the official reporting deadlines,” said Hirscher in a recent news conference.
“Thanks to my mother, I am an Austrian-Dutch dual citizen, which made the best solution possible for everyone.
“As an Austrian skiing for the Netherlands, I don’t take resources away from young ÖSV athletes and, conversely, I might be able to contribute something to skiing and the ski youth here in Holland, as well as to the connection between both countries through winter tourism.”
Hirscher says he is very much looking forward to “a few races for my Motherland, after having raced so many for my Fatherland in the past.”
He says he is cautious with the term ‘comeback’.
“A comeback for me is when someone, for example after an injury break, wants to continue where they left off.
“My career has been over for five years, I am 35 years old, I have two children, two companies.
“Unlike before, now ski racing has to fit into my life and not the other way around.”
He will be training in New Zealand this summer.
South Island, New Zealand. Image © PlanetSKI
“I am extremely looking forward to testing and training – and if I feel it makes sense, also to one or the other race.”
In mid and late August, two slalom and giant slalom races are scheduled in Coronet Peak.
“At least for the second event, I plan to be at the start of a ski race again,” Hirscher added.
