Marcel Hirscher is one of the most successful alpine skiers of all time. The Austrian is now enjoying his sporting retirement and takes a critical look at the scene.
Seven world championship titles, eight victories in the overall World Cup and two gold medals at the Olympics: Marcel Hirscher can look back on an outstanding career in alpine skiing. But in order to celebrate great successes, the 33-year-old had to do without many things.
Although he does not have the feeling that he has missed something, Hirscher revealed in an interview with “Red Bulletin“: “But today I’m sitting here on the mountain and enjoying myself. Do what I feel like doing. So many cool projects came about: my ski company, my team. I’m the only one who says how I imagine it, and no one else. As a skier, you’re sold. That does something to you. I was in a way the bondage of others.”
“I can’t imagine how I endured it!”
He is convinced that he will still experience “that you can no longer deal with athletes like I did in my time”. “I almost felt my way to the pain limits of the system. And yet: Today it’s completely unimaginable how I endured it!” Hirscher clearly criticized the alpine skiing scene.
The team was simply put in front of him. “I never thought about putting it together myself. After all, they are the most important people for your success,” said the winter sports legend.
Hirscher now has his own team with “Van Deer”. His vision is to “change the sport of skiing significantly and sustainably”. “Independence, individuality, more personality. And above all, driving the sport where it belongs, bringing in professionalism. I never want to see a serviceman preparing skis on a beer bench again,” said the Austrian.