Marcel Hirscher, a prominent figure in Alpine skiing and an eight-time World Cup overall champion from Austria, is set to return to the slopes this Sunday for the first time in five years. Hirscher, who announced his comeback for the Netherlands earlier this year, confirmed that he will participate in the season-opening giant slalom in Sölden, Austria.
In a recent press release, Hirscher, now 35, acknowledged the challenges of returning to competitive skiing after a long absence. “It’s logical that I’m not and can’t be at the same level I was at,” he noted, reflecting on the 2,051 days since his last race. He mentioned the rapid advancements in skiing equipment and expressed satisfaction with his current physical condition, stating he feels more youthful than when he retired. However, he also admitted a lack of recent snow training due to his new responsibilities outside of skiing.
Hirscher had previously indicated he would make a decision on his participation just before the race. Despite expert advice suggesting he wait until mid-December to resume competition, he chose to embrace the opportunity to race. “I used to always have that moment before Sölden when I knew: ‘OK, I’m good.’ I no longer have that reference feeling,” he explained, emphasizing the uncertainty of his current standing in the sport. He acknowledged the necessity of racing to truly gauge his performance.
In an interview earlier this month, Hirscher was asked if finishing in the top 15 in Sölden was a realistic goal. He candidly replied that he still needed to make up four seconds in his training, highlighting the work that lies ahead. Since retiring in 2019, following an unprecedented eighth consecutive World Cup overall title and Olympic gold medals in giant slalom and combined, Hirscher has made significant changes, including switching his competitive nationality from Austria to the Netherlands, due to his Dutch heritage.
Looking ahead, it remains uncertain whether Hirscher’s return will include participation in the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. He mentioned in a July interview, “The project is at least for one more year, and then I think it’s done again because then I’m turning 36,” indicating that he is mindful of the physical demands of professional skiing as he ages. With his long-awaited return to the competitive scene, many fans and followers are eager to see how Hirscher will perform on Sunday.