Marcel Hirscher won a record eight consecutive World Cup titles, 11 Alpine Skiing World Championships medals (7 gold), four Olympic medals (two gold) and 67 World Cup races racing for Austria, leading to him being considered the greatest male ski racer of all time by many.
Five years after retiring he’s back this winter racing for his mother’s homeland, The Netherlands, with the support of Red Bull and on skis developed by his own company.
ITS: Why race for The Netherlands?
MH: “There wasn’t much time to think because of the official reporting deadlines! Thanks to my mother, I am an Austrian-Dutch dual citizen, which made the best solution possible for everyone. As an Austrian skiing for the Netherlands, I don’t take resources away from young Austrian athletes and, conversely, I might be able to contribute something to skiing and the ski youth here in Holland, as well as to the connection between both countries through winter tourism.”
ITS: Is it a comeback?
MH: “A comeback for me is when someone—after an injury break—wants to continue where they left off. My career has been over for five years, I am 35 years old, I have two children, two companies. Unlike before, now ski racing has to fit into my life—and not the other way around.”
The analogy: “You can imagine my situation as someone who is fully engaged in life and decides to run a marathon as well.”
ITS: How are you feeling?
MH: “I am quite satisfied with my physical fitness. Strength and endurance training are much easier to integrate into everyday life. Of course, there’s a lot missing in skiing. In spring, I managed to get some snow training, but hardly any after that because it was too warm.”
10 Mins With Marcel Hirscher
ITS: You’ll be racing on your own VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports Equipment?
MH: “I always wondered what it would be like to ski race with my own, self-developed equipment. Until a few years ago, that was an illusory dream and now it seems to become a reality. We are at an important stage in the development of our equipment, which will have an impact on the setup philosophy. In such phases, every metre on snow counts for testing! On the one hand, to support the race team with Henrik Kristoffersen, Timon Haugan, Fabian Ax Swartz, and Aleix Aubert Serracanta, and on the other hand, to make the innovations available to customers as quickly as possible. Because that’s what we are here for: High-end material for everyone!”
ITS: Your great rival Henrik Kristoffersen races on your VAN DEER skis?
MH: “I always had a great relationship with Henrik, and he always wanted to get on the best skis. We were always friends off the piste; it was always a fair and friendly relationship—now it’s a working one!”
ITS: Where did the VAN DEER name come from anyway?
MH: “I’m half Dutch, half Austrian—so all the guys used to call me ‘Von Dutch’! When we formed the brand, we didn’t want to call it ‘Hirscher’, so it’s just a little play on words. (In German, a ‘Hirsch’ is a deer). I’m very proud of this joint venture, Red Bull is a supporter from the beginning, we’ve been together for over 10 years and we share the same values. They always supported my vision and approach about quality, perfection and meticulous work efforts. Together we can definitely turn the page and step up the game.”