Marcel Hirscher Confirms World Cup Comeback

Marcel Hirscher, the renowned Austrian alpine skier, has announced his comeback to competitive skiing after a five-year retirement, set to compete in the World Cup opener in Soelden, Austria. The 35-year-old, who dominated the sport with eight consecutive overall World Cup titles from 2012 to 2019, had originally retired in September 2019. The International Ski Federation recently introduced a wild card rule allowing retired champions to return to competition, which Hirscher has utilized. He expressed excitement over his return, despite facing challenges in training and preparation due to a busy life and illness. Hirscher will represent the Netherlands, his mother’s native country, and will race on his own brand of skis. His participation marks a significant event in the skiing world, as he aims to rekindle his passion for the sport and compete once again.