MARCEL HIRSCHER: "HELLO, HOLLAND!" AND MULTITASKING IN NEW ZEALAND
The sensational news came at the end of April, and now the countdown is on. In August, Marcel Hirscher plans to make a dramatic comeback to ski racing as an Austrian skiing for the Netherlands and a Racing Test Pilot for VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports, five years after his retirement. At a media meeting in the land of his mother, the Netherlands, he spoke about his aims, his current level and plans for multitasking on a trip to New Zealand in wintertime.
SNOWWORLD ZOETERMEER
It is two days until the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Paris. 400 kilometres away from there, as the crow flies, in front of the Snow World in Zoetermeer - a Dutch ski hall with the steepest indoor slope in Europe - Marcel Hirscher is speaking in the truck of his ski company, VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports, for the first time about his ambitions and plans for his return to racing. The questions are posed by Maarten Meiners, the last ski racer to have competed for the Netherlands in the World Cup and at the Ski World Championships. Meiners introduces his possible successor, Marcel Hirscher, who is three years older, but has a glittering record of honours: 67 World Cup victories, 12 Crystal Globes in giant slalom and slalom, eight overall World Cup victories in a row, seven world championship titles and two gold medals at the Olympics. While the two have contrasting skiing careers, they are united by a common passion. Both are now active in different ventures - Marcel Hirscher is the founder and co-owner of the outdoor label The Mountain Studio as well as the ski company VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports, while Maarten works for a Dutch bank.
ACTING ON INSTINCT
Marcel Hirscher says he made the decision to return to ski racing after listening to his heart following his birthday on 2 March: "There wasn't much time to think about it because of the registration deadlines! The fact that I am an Austrian-Dutch dual citizen thanks to my mother made it possible to find the best solution for everyone. As an Austrian skiing for the Netherlands, I will not be taking resources away from young Austrian skiers, and I can hopefully contribute something to skiing and young skiers here in Holland, as well as to the connection between the two countries in winter tourism."
RACING FOR THE MOTHERLAND
a few races for my motherland, after so many for my fatherland.
He is cautious about using the term ‘comeback’, however: "For me, a comeback is when someone - after an injury break, for example - wants to get back to where they were. My career has been over for five years, I am 35 years old, have two children and two companies. Ski racing now has to fit into my life - and not the other way around." He continues: "It’s a bit like when someone who is full on with work and life decides to run a marathon as well." Time management is a challenge he needs to take on to fit training in along with all of his other obligations - and without the support of those around him privately and professionally, Hirscher says his project would simply be impossible.
LIFELONG DIY DREAM
How is his project developing? He says: "I'm pretty happy with my physical fitness: strength and endurance training are much easier to integrate into everyday life. Of course, there are a few things I still have to work on when it comes to skiing. In the spring, I was able to train on the snow, but only for a short while because it was too warm." That is about to change. On 9 August, Marcel Hirscher will fly to New Zealand with a small team for the winter to make his "lifelong DIY dream" a reality. He says:
I've always wondered what it would be like to compete in ski races with equipment you have developed yourself. Until a few years ago, that was just a dream, but now it seems to be becoming a reality.
SERIOUS SKIING IN NEW ZEALAND
Marcel Hirscher is travelling to New Zealand, where he will multitask by combining his job as Chief Tester for VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports Equipment with the joy of racing. He explains: "We have some important development steps to take with our material that will have an impact on the setup philosophy. In these phases, every metre we can test on snow counts! We need to support the race team with Henrik Kristoffersen, Timon Haugan, Fabian Ax Swartz and Aleix Aubert Serracanta, and also make the innovations available to customers as quickly as possible. That's what it is all about - making high-end material for everyone!" Marcel Hirscher is hoping for good conditions in New Zealand: "I'm really looking forward to testing and training - and if it makes sense, taking part in one or two races." In mid and late August, two slaloms and giant slaloms will be held in Coronet Peak. He promises: "At least by the second set, I'm planning to finally start a ski race again."