ÖSV confirms change

Sensation fixed! Hirscher comeback for the Netherlands

Marcel Hirscher makes his skiing comeback - under the Dutch flag.

(Bild: GEPA Pictures, Adobe Stoickj, Krone KREATIV,)

The sensational comeback is perfect! Marcel Hirscher is returning to the ski circus - under the Dutch flag. The ÖSV has confirmed the change of nation. The final decision now lies with the FIS.

"Marcel Hirscher would like to return to racing sporadically. There has been a unanimous decision to allow Marcel Hirscher this change of nation," said ÖSV Secretary General Christian Scherer in a press conference on Wednesday morning.

Marcel Hirscher is making his skiing comeback - under the Dutch flag.

(Bild: GEPA Pictures, Adobe Stoickj, Krone KREATIV,)

Scherer continued: "Marcel informed us a few days ago that he wants to get back into the racing action. There was a very good meeting in Salzburg. Marcel told us there that he would like to tackle his project with the Netherlands. We made this unanimous decision that he can make this letter of release from the ÖSV."

ÖSV Secretary General Christian Scherer

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The FIS still has to give its final approval for this change of nation. "We are also doing this out of appreciation. Of course we regret it, we would also have liked to see him compete for Austria. But we respect his decision," says Scherer. The fact that the skis from Hirscher's company Van Deer are not in the marketing pool of the Austrian Ski Association was not the reason for the decision: "There would have been a solution that the regulations would have allowed - but Marcel didn't want a special arrangement."

Motherland Netherlands
Hirscher, who had actually declared his career over in 2019, will compete for the Netherlands, the country of birth of his mother Sylvia, in future. Initially, he plans to compete in FIS races, giant slalom and slalom - where, according to Van Deer Managing Director Toni Giger, the main aim is to collect FIS points: "The World Cup is still a long way off at the moment." However, he sees Hirscher's return as a "great boost for skiing, especially in the Netherlands". He left open how long Hirscher wants to try racing again. The main thing is that "Marcel can live out his passion for the sport, you shouldn't have exaggerated expectations."

It goes without saying that he has not forgotten how to ski. If he can get back into a competitive range with his starting number, he will be able to ski at the top of the World Cup again.

ÖSV-Cheftrainer Marko Pfeifer

ÖSV head coach Marko Pfeifer is confident that the 67-time winner of a World Cup race will be back at the top of the World Cup: "It goes without saying that he hasn't forgotten how to ski." Should Marcel move up with the starting number in the near future, "I assume that he will be able to race at the front again in the World Cup".

After his retirement, Hirscher was more active in the background in the Ski World Cup. With the support of his long-standing sponsor Red Bull, the 35-year-old founded the ski company Van Deer, which equips two world-class athletes, Norwegians Henrik Kristoffersen and Timon Haugan. A comeback for the company boss would certainly be a coup for the project in terms of marketing. With seven World Championship titles and four silver medals, Hirscher is the most successful World Championship participant in history. He also won the small crystal globe six times each in the slalom and giant slalom. He won the overall World Cup eight times in a row, more often than anyone else.

Hirscher's big public appearances have been rare in the recent past. In 2022, he raced down the Streif as a forerunner in the Hahnenkamm races. The passionate motocross rider also took part in the most recent editions of the Erzberg Rodeo.

Braathen ledthe way
In March, Norwegian-born Lucas Pinheiro Braathen announced his intention to compete in the World Cup again. In future, the technical specialist will be racing for Brazil, his mother's home country. A possible training partnership with Hirscher is being examined, said Patrick Riml, who looks after the ski stars supported by Red Bull. Braathen's coaching team will also include Michael "Mike" Pircher, Hirscher's successful coach of many years.