Marcel Hirscher prepares for World Cup return

Jun 18, 2025·Alpine Skiing

After more than five years away from competitive skiing, Marcel Hirscher (NED/Van Deer) made a brief comeback to the World Cup circuit last winter. However, his return was abruptly cut short by injury. Now, six and a half months after undergoing surgery for a torn ACL, the eight-time overall World Cup champion is officially back on track, having passed all necessary medical checks, a major milestone in his recovery.

More than a thousand hours of rehab, therapy, and strength training in 197 days since my surgery, it was a lot of time to reflect. In the end, it all comes down to two questions: What do I want from life? And what does life want from me? Even in the hardest moments, my answer remained the same: to race again.– Marcel Hirscher

To support his comeback, Hirscher was granted a wild card last season, allowing him to compete in up to 20 World Cup races starting just outside the top 30 in his discipline. After racing in only three events before his injury, it has been confirmed that the remaining 17 wild card starts will carry over to the upcoming season meaning he’ll be able to compete again under the same conditions.

With rehab now behind him, Hirscher is fully focused on ramping up his athletic training.

There’s more volume, more intensity. It no longer feels like rehab and it doesn’t look like it either. This summer will be all about sport. Balancing training with family, business, vacation, and friends is still a challenge, but it’s going well. I’m incredibly grateful for the support I’ve received, both personally and professionally, in this ‘Back to Racing’ mission.– Marcel Hirscher

Reflecting on the journey so far, he adds:

With everything I’ve already lived through in ski racing, this was something completely new and it’s made me stronge– Marcel Hirscher

Hirscher plans to return to on-snow training in September, a key step that will help determine the timing of his World Cup comeback.

As things stand, I can’t say exactly when I’ll be back in the start gate,” he says. “But if it’s up to me, the sooner, the better.– Marcel Hirscher

Adapted from a release courtesy of VAN DEER - Red Bull Sports