Hirscher's notable comeback is one of the winter season's biggest topics of conversation. It was in April that it was confirmed that the Austrian would return – five years after putting his skis on the shelf. But this time, he will compete for his mother's homeland, the Netherlands.
The comeback appears to be taking place on familiar ground in Austria, namely in Sölden where the World Cup season begins with a giant slalom on Sunday. Hirscher is included in the team, writes the Netherlands' Ski Association on its website. At the same time, they are flagging that Hirscher has had problems with illness lately and that the comeback may potentially be postponed.
During the summer, the 35-year-old has been training in New Zealand. He does not believe that he will be able to challenge Marco Odermatt – the dominant force in alpine skiing in recent seasons – for the overall World Cup.
Currently, aiming for a place among the top 15 would not be realistic, he said earlier to Austrian TV according to AFP.
The Austrian Ski Association has regretted that Hirscher's comeback is taking place for the Netherlands and not Austria. To the association's website, Secretary-General Christian Scherer said:
"We have, of course, made great efforts to offer Marcel the best possible and individual conditions for a comeback. We regret, of course, his decision to request a national team change to the Dutch Ski Association, but ultimately, we supported it."
Born: March 2, 1989, in Hallein, near Salzburg in Austria.
Debut in the World Cup: 2007.
Main merits:
Olympic Games: gold in giant slalom and combination in 2018, silver in slalom in 2014.
World Championship: gold in slalom in 2013, 2017, and 2019, gold in combination in 2015 and in giant slalom in 2017, gold in team in 2013 and 2015. Silver in giant slalom in 2013, 2015, and 2019, silver in combination in 2017.
World Cup: 67 wins (33 in slalom, 32 in giant slalom, 1 in super-G, and 1 in parallel slalom) in 245 starts, a total of 138 podium places. Eight consecutive wins of the overall World Cup (2012–2019).
Current: Ended his career in 2019, but is making a comeback this season. Is included in the Netherlands' team for the World Cup premiere on Sunday.
