Marcel Hirscher gives the ÖSV the cold shoulder

After eight overall victories in the Alpine World Cup in a row, Marcel Hirscher switched sides and became a ski producer. His “baby” is called Van Deer-Red Bull Sports, and in its debut year, thanks to Henrik Kristoffersen, they achieved a World Cup victory and a World Championship title. Before the start of the second season, Hirscher spoke about climate change, the annual cycle, prominent ex-colleagues, rugby in New Zealand and future plans.

In the discussion about climate change, skiing is almost evil today. How do you actually experience that?

“I take the arguments very seriously. I am of the opinion that we, i.e. the industry, politics and also the cable cars, will be asked to decide how we deal with the issue in the future. Even if snow farming looks extremely wild, I am “I still think that this recycling of snow is actually the first good step. But there are of course a lot of points that can be considered and discussed.”

• also read: Kriechmayr counters Neureuther: “Skiing is not evil”

Doesn’t the season start too early?

“As an active athlete, I’ve always said that I think it’s too early, and that’s why it’s a bit easy for me to stick with it. As an active athlete, the stress has always been that we have to get ready. And it’s so difficult , to get ready, because you don’t have any training conditions and so on. But it’s a social issue too. You can now go skiing, which was the case in the last few winters, quite long into the spring. Only very few people go there ski more because it’s unnatural in our cycle.”

Would it be possible to travel until April or May? So is there any evidence that people would actually not embrace skiing?

“I don’t know any viewing figures. I can only say based on my feeling and can’t claim that I know the facts. There are so many arguments. Some argue that it’s completely evil, others say it’s right. It will “The truth lies somewhere in the middle. I don’t know. Something definitely has to be done together. That things continue like they have for the last 100 years… hopefully we will all have understood that it’s not like that.”

How do you see skiing evolving in terms of the spectacle that fans are offered?

“It’s becoming more and more difficult to keep up with this amount and flood of opportunities that are offered to us. But what’s great is that skiing is a popular sport in Austria, in Switzerland, even in parts of France. It’s quite well received in America . Where I don’t think so much of it is when you go to countries where skiing has absolutely no relevance. The New Zealanders also like to play rugby. Not many people would watch us.”

Is it possible that they will be at the start of the World Cup in Sölden?

“No.”

How long has it been since you last skied?

“May, where the video (for Van Deer’s new product line/note) was also made.”

Do you trust Marco Schwarz, who wants to take part in as many races as possible, to take part in the big ball?

“There are these athletes. Bode Miller, for example – mega. Anyone who has won a ball can also win a big one. But there are a lot of external factors that are important. Yes, if the general conditions are one hundred percent right.”

• more on the subject: ÖSV ace Marco Schwarz and his 100 percent plan

In skiing there is always the risk that something will happen. As a company boss, how early do you have to say that we might need a second pillar alongside Henrik Kristoffersen?

“We don’t have the opportunity to say we’re increasing our numbers now. Not in terms of personnel, and not that we could continue to look after them with this level of professionalism. Of course we have certain athletes in our sights, but the season has to go over that first . And then you need the right character. An athlete who says I don’t care about the material, I can’t work with him. We’re the wrong building site for someone who is mainstream.”

What do you think will happen next for Max Franz?

“It’s an incredibly rocky and hard road. He has to say that himself.”

How do you see Austria’s sporting situation in the World Cup? Is this just a blip or are these things that were already hinted at many years ago?

“I would actually have to work in the ski association system to be able to really give feedback. I can’t judge it because I’m not part of it.”

Can you imagine a role and function in the ÖSV – even at a much later date, in 20 or 30 years?

“No, I’m really busy. The train has left.”

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