Tomba, Hirscher, Maier and Stenmark champion montage GEPA photos
Hermann Maier Criticizes Marcel Hirscher’s Return to Snowboarding
Simply two weeks earlier than the brand new season, Marcel Hirscher’s return to aggressive snowboarding creates a media frenzy. Whereas followers are excited, one Austrian ski legend isn’t as impressed. Hermann Maier, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and considered one of Austria’s most profitable skiers, overtly questions Hirscher’s comeback hype.
“It’s All Staged”
Maier, 51, doesn’t maintain again when sharing his ideas on Hirscher’s return. Maier tells Kurier, “Every little thing is being staged from begin to end as if he have been simply getting back from a severe harm.” Maier’s frustration stems from the overwhelming media consideration centered on Hirscher whereas Austrian athletes stay within the shadows regardless of having a house World Championships subsequent winter. In accordance with Maier, the ski affiliation is giving Hirscher the highlight on the expense of present athletes.
Questioning the Comeback
Hirscher, now competing for the Netherlands, just lately downplayed his possibilities, claiming he was “4 seconds away from the highest 15.” Nonetheless, Maier stays unconvinced. “No one believes him,” says Maier. “Not even him.” He feels Hirscher’s statements about being removed from aggressive are merely inaccurate, believing that Hirscher will problem for victories from the beginning.
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A Potential Challenger for Odermatt?
Maier additionally sees Hirscher as a possible menace to Marco Odermatt, the reigning World Cup total champion. “If Odermatt skis as he has in recent times, then he shall be unbeatable,” Maier acknowledges. Nonetheless, he additionally provides, “However nothing can occur to him.” In different phrases, Maier believes Odermatt should keep on the high of his sport if he hopes to fend off a returning Hirscher.
Breaking Information?
Maier doesn’t simply assume Hirscher can win races; he believes he would possibly problem the legendary file for many males’s World Cup victories, presently held by Sweden’s Ingemar Stenmark with 86 wins. Hirscher is 20 victories away from this mark, and Maier admits that catching Stenmark would require greater than only one season. Hirscher has beforehand said that his return is meant for just one season, however Maier isn’t ruling out the opportunity of a extra prolonged stint.
The Highway Forward for Hirscher
Hirscher has but to substantiate if he’ll compete within the season opener in Sölden, however the strain and expectations are already sky-high. His return raises massive questions: Can he problem Odermatt? Will he make a run at Stenmark’s file? Solely time will inform, however Hermann Maier stays skeptical of the spectacle surrounding Hirscher’s comeback.
Because the Sölden Phrase Cups inch nearer, all eyes are on Hirscher. Nonetheless, Maier’s candid remarks, reported by Blick.ch, remind us that the street to glory isn’t assured, even for a legend.
