Picture Credit score: Joerg Mitter / Purple Bull Content material Pool
Marcel Hirscher, the eight-time Total World Cup globe winner for Austria, is surprisingly returning to ski racing, this time representing the Netherlands. Throughout a July 24 press convention, Hirscher shared his ideas and plans for this new chapter in his profession.
Not a Comeback, However a Ardour Challenge
“For me, this isn’t a comeback, however a undertaking near my coronary heart,” the ski legend said Wednesday. “I don’t wish to choose up the place I left off; I simply wish to take pleasure in and take part every so often.”
As a result of he considers his return to ski racing as a “ardour undertaking,” Hirscher doesn’t just like the “C-word” (comeback). He didn’t wish to return to the Austrian ski crew, despite the fact that the chance was there, as a result of he didn’t wish to take a spot on the Austrian crew away from a younger athlete, Hirscher defined based on the Krone.at.
The Dutch Connection
Hirscher met with the press on the Dutch indoor ski enviornment at SnowWorld Zoetermeer, close to Haag within the Netherlands. The Dutch Ski Affiliation (NSkiV) additionally organized a meet-and-greet occasion with Hirscher for the Dutch followers after the press occasion, as “requests for a meet-and-greet have poured in,” based on an NSkiV announcement. Hirscher continues to be an important function mannequin for Dutch ski racers, the NskiV states.
Hirscher’s Return Introduced
Hirscher shocked the ski racing world by saying his return to racing in April this yr. Along with his eight consecutive World Cup total titles, he has additionally received seven World Championship titles, two Olympic gold medals, 67 World Cup victories and 12 crystal globes in slalom and big slalom.
The profitable ski racer began his Wednesday press convention by talking a number of phrases in Dutch and appeared relaxed. Nonetheless, afterward, he shared that he was nervous as he had not spoken Dutch in a very long time and never in entrance of so many individuals, the Krone.at studies.
Hirscher holds twin citizenship within the Netherlands and Austria, as these are his mom’s and father’s native nations, respectively.
“After racing 99 p.c of my races for my homeland, it’s good to do 1 p.c for my motherland”, Hirscher instructed the media.
Impressed by Lucas Braathen
“When Lucas Braathen introduced his return, I believed it could be cool to race right here and there,” Hirscher defined Wednesday.
The Dutch-Austrian ski legend feels relaxed and smitten by his return to ski racing. Nonetheless, whereas glad along with his bodily health now, he stated it has been exhausting to return to a excessive health degree after the lengthy break from racing.
The nice sportsman is aware of that issues can be completely different from the previous. Based on Krone.at, Hirscher returns to racing with knowledgeable perspective however with a distinct focus than previously: “I wish to acquire reminiscences and now not chase hundredths.”
“My profession has been over for 5 years; I’m 35, have two kids, and have two corporations. Ski racing now has to suit into my life — and never the opposite manner round,” Hirscher explains in a July 24 VAN DEER-Purple Bull Sports activities weblog submit.
Upcoming Plans and Coaching
Hirscher plans to journey to New Zealand on August 9 to coach with a small crew earlier than competing in a number of FIS races.
Based on welovesnow.ch, Hirscher plans to return to racing at Coronet Peak, New Zealand on August 15. Based on the FIS race schedule, there can be two big slalom FIS races, adopted by two FIS slalom competitions, together with the New Zealand nationwide championship in slalom, on August 15.-19.
Hirscher must decrease his FIS factors to be allowed to begin in World Cup competitions.
“We’re flying to New Zealand with a small however glorious crew. We’ll see whether or not it’s sufficient for Sölden,” Hirscher stated Wednesday, based on welovesnow.ch. The World Cup opener in Sölden, Austria is scheduled for October 27, the day after the ladies’s season opener.
“A whole lot of younger racers will certainly begin and ask themselves what grandpa is doing there,” he joked concerning the age distinction to different rivals at his upcoming FIS races, the Krone.at studies.
The longer term is unsure: “No one can say what occurs in 5 months,” Hirscher said Wednesday, based on Krone.at.
Racing on His Personal Ski Model
Hirscher, the person behind the VAN DEER ski tools model, is trying ahead to racing on the tools he has helped develop and take a look at because the model’s begin. His father and extremely expert sports activities scientists like Toni Giger have contributed to growing the VAN DEER race skis. Moreover, Purple Bull is part of the event crew.
Whereas in New Zealand, Hirscher will proceed with the product testing. “Now we have some essential improvement steps to take with our materials that may have an effect on the setup philosophy. In these phases, each meter we are able to take a look at on snow counts,” Hirscher explains within the VAN DEER-Purple Bull Sports activities weblog.
Along with Hirscher, world-class Norwegian racers Henrik Kristoffersen and Timon Haugan, in addition to Swedish teenager Fabian Ax Swartz, compete on the VAN DEER tools.
Not too long ago, VAN DEER signed Spanish racer Aleix Aubert Serracanta, who’s arriving from Rossignol. The 19-year-old is ranked a hundred and tenth on the planet in big slalom and 253rd in slalom, based on the 2nd FIS factors listing for the brand new 2024/25 season. Aubert Serracanta began in 11 European Cup races in the course of the 2023/24 season however has but to attain EC factors. Nonetheless, in the course of the previous season, he recorded victories and podium leads to a number of European FIS races.
Acquainted Faces and Ardour for Ski Racing
Upon his return to ski racing, Hirscher will reunite with fellow VAN DEER racers, World Cup rivals he already is aware of, and acquainted assist employees from all over the world. Retired VAN DEER racer Charlie Raposo from Nice Britain may also be current, now managing Brazil’s Lucas Braathen.
As ski racers worldwide know, it’s not solely the joys and love for the game that hold you near alpine snowboarding, but additionally the nice friendships made alongside the best way.
Hirscher describes his return to aggressive alpine ski racing as a undertaking near his coronary heart. He needs to gather reminiscences, and his return will hopefully carry him exactly that.
Sources: Krone.at, Skiweltcup.television, welovesnow.ch, FIS-ski.com, nskiv.nl, vandeer-redbull-sports.com
