The Star Withdrawn – Makes Comeback After Five Years

For the first time in five years, the alpine superstar Marcel Hirscher will compete again. He is included in the Netherlands' team for the World Cup premiere on Sunday – but does not count on any top placements this season.

» Published: October 22 2024

The Star Withdrawn – Makes Comeback After Five Years
Photo: Kerstin Joensson/AP/TT

Share this article

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.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Häcken to Face Atlético Madrid in Women's Champions League Playoff
1 MIN READ

Häcken to Face Atlético Madrid in Women's Champions League Playoff

Yoane Wissa Appeals to Leave Brentford Amid Newcastle Speculation
2 MIN READ

Yoane Wissa Appeals to Leave Brentford Amid Newcastle Speculation

Alexander Zverev Exits US Open After Loss to Felix Auger-Aliassime
1 MIN READ

Alexander Zverev Exits US Open After Loss to Felix Auger-Aliassime

Sagström Falls to Ninth in Boston LPGA Tournament Third Round
1 MIN READ

Sagström Falls to Ninth in Boston LPGA Tournament Third Round

Iga Swiatek Advances to US Open Fourth Round After Comeback Win
1 MIN READ

Iga Swiatek Advances to US Open Fourth Round After Comeback Win

Jannik Sinner Advances to US Open Round of 16 After Tough Start
1 MIN READ

Jannik Sinner Advances to US Open Round of 16 After Tough Start

Hammarby Exits Champions League Qualifying After 0-1 Loss to Man United
2 MIN READ

Hammarby Exits Champions League Qualifying After 0-1 Loss to Man United

Leeds Defender Gabriel Gudmundsson Limps Off in Draw Against Newcastle
1 MIN READ

Leeds Defender Gabriel Gudmundsson Limps Off in Draw Against Newcastle

Penalty Secures Mjällby's Victory Over Halmstad in Allsvenskan
2 MIN READ

Penalty Secures Mjällby's Victory Over Halmstad in Allsvenskan

Coco Gauff Advances to US Open Fourth Round, Reflects on Pressure
1 MIN READ

Coco Gauff Advances to US Open Fourth Round, Reflects on Pressure

Racism Incident at European Basketball Championship Leads to Ejections
1 MIN READ

Racism Incident at European Basketball Championship Leads to Ejections

Bruno Fernandes Secures Manchester United's First Win with Late Penalty
1 MIN READ

Bruno Fernandes Secures Manchester United's First Win with Late Penalty

Sweden Triumphs Over Great Britain in Crucial European Championship Match
2 MIN READ

Sweden Triumphs Over Great Britain in Crucial European Championship Match

Brommapojkarna Triumphs Over Elfsborg in 3-0 Victory
1 MIN READ

Brommapojkarna Triumphs Over Elfsborg in 3-0 Victory

Sweden Finishes Last in Euro Hockey Tour After Three Losses
1 MIN READ

Sweden Finishes Last in Euro Hockey Tour After Three Losses

Malmö FF Tops Women's League After 3-1 Victory Over Växjö
2 MIN READ

Malmö FF Tops Women's League After 3-1 Victory Over Växjö

Elin Rubensson Pregnant with Second Child, Due March Next Year
1 MIN READ

Elin Rubensson Pregnant with Second Child, Due March Next Year

Alvar Myhlback Wins Men's Alliansloppet Roller Ski Race Amid Chaos
2 MIN READ

Alvar Myhlback Wins Men's Alliansloppet Roller Ski Race Amid Chaos

Swedish Basketball Stars Larsson and Birgander Ready for Decisive Match
1 MIN READ

Swedish Basketball Stars Larsson and Birgander Ready for Decisive Match

Swedish Beach Volleyball Pairs Exit World Tour Quarterfinals
1 MIN READ

Swedish Beach Volleyball Pairs Exit World Tour Quarterfinals