"Can only lose"

Odermatt thought Hirscher comeback was a joke

Marco Odermatt (l.) initially thought Marcel Hirscher's comeback was a joke.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Marcel Hirscher's comeback announcement five years after his retirement is making waves - and is causing astonishment in many places. Marco Odermatt was also surprised by the 35-year-old Salzburg native's plans. "At first I thought it was a joke," the man from Nidwalden told Blick. 

However, he thought it was "cool" that Hirscher was coming back. "It's fantastic for the international reputation of skiing, especially as Marcel will be racing for the Netherlands in the future."

It remains to be seen when exactly the two exceptional athletes will meet for the first time on the slopes. Hirscher has not yet commented on his exact plans. However, ski fans can hardly wait for the duel between the three-time and eight-time winner of the overall World Cup.

Pressure on Odermatt
Will Hirscher, after such a long break and at the age of 35, still be able to stand up to Odermatt in his heyday as a racer? Odermatt certainly sees the pressure on his side. "Actually, I can only lose in this duel with Hirscher," the Olympic and world champion in giant slalom admits to Blick.

Marco Odermatt (l.) initially thought Marcel Hirscher's comeback was a joke.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Marcel Hirscher's comeback for the Netherlands(Bild: GEPA Pictures, Adobe Stoickj, Krone KREATIV,)

Odermatt's reasoning: "In recent years, the question has been asked countless times as to who is the greater racer: Hirscher or me? If I were to be slower in the best phase of my career than Marcel, who is coming back from ski retirement, the answer to this question would definitely not be in my favor."