In a stunning twist of fate, Austrian ski racing legend Marcel Hirscher’s highly anticipated comeback season has been cut short by a devastating injury. The 35-year-old, who returned to competition this year after a five-year hiatus, tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during a routine giant slalom training session.
Hirscher, widely regarded as one of the greatest alpine skiers of all time, announced the news on his official website Tuesday. “As is unfortunately the case with skiing: part of the game,” he lamented. “Maybe I’m finally done with my journey.”
A Comeback Cut Short
The 8-time overall World Cup champion had been staging a remarkable return to the sport he once dominated. In his first race back, the season-opening giant slalom in Sölden, Austria, Hirscher finished an impressive 23rd. He called the second run “maybe one of the most emotional moments in my career.”
But that emotion quickly turned to anguish when Hirscher suffered the ACL tear during what he described as a “harmless slip” in training. He underwent surgery Monday evening to repair the damage.
An Uncertain Future
The injury raises serious questions about Hirscher’s future in the sport. At 35, he was already defying expectations by staging a comeback after such a long absence. Now, facing a lengthy recovery process, it remains to be seen whether the Austrian icon will attempt another return or opt for retirement.
“Maybe I’m finally done with my journey.”
– Marcel Hirscher, after announcing his torn ACL
If this is indeed the end for Hirscher, he’ll go down as one of the most accomplished skiers in history. His eight straight overall World Cup titles from 2012-2019 are a record that may never be broken. He also claimed two Olympic gold medals and seven World Championship titles in his illustrious career.
A Season of Ski Superstars Sidelined
Hirscher is just the latest alpine skiing superstar to see his season derailed by injury. Reigning men’s overall champion Aleksander Aamodt Kilde is out for the year as he continues to recover from a horrific crash in Wengen, Switzerland last January.
On the women’s side, Mikaela Shiffrin, the sport’s biggest star and 5-time overall champ, suffered an injury in a crash Saturday just as she was closing in on her record 100th World Cup victory. The extent of Shiffrin’s injury is not yet known.
As the ski racing world wishes Hirscher a full recovery, his former rival Lindsey Vonn is gearing up for her own comeback at age 40. Vonn, the winningest female skier of all time, is returning to her signature speed events of downhill and super-G, creating an intriguing juxtaposition with Hirscher’s suddenly uncertain future.
For now, though, the focus remains on the Austrian legend and the abrupt, heartbreaking end to his comeback season. Ski racing fans around the world are left to wonder if they’ll ever again witness the unparalleled skills of Marcel Hirscher on the World Cup stage. Only time, and the degree of Hirscher’s passion to continue competing, will tell.
