Instead of the usual 5,000 training goals, Marcel Hirscher has 500 in his legs because of his ankle fracture in August before the first seasonal slalom in Levi. But that’s a huge challenge,”said the Salzburg ski star,”starting right at the beginning of the race is a huge challenge. He could not estimate where he was standing because he had no sparring partners.
“I don’t have times, I don’t have anything. That’s why it is a status quo. And maybe I could then see what’s possible in the second round. But also a Marcel Hirscher needs training:” For Sunday and his “Let’s see what’s coming out of the box” he has a wish that – in dialect, but with the permission to quote – reads:”The best thing would be tomorrow, if I didn’t obahau a jerk”.
He commented calmly that the competition was saying he was a low-profile contender:”I have to live with that, I like to live with it, I’ve worked hard for myself. I know what fact is. Sure, I’m not feeling bad, I’m whistling down there, but between being there and world class, that’s a second.”
It is not necessarily about the points, it is also about the experience that can be drawn upon again. I’m on the road with last year’s material because there was no time to test it, but I still need the experience. The result will give a lot of clues as to who should be used as a guide. There can’t be any better training than the competition.”
The anticipation of the race is immense “It’s classic to be here. And under other conditions, it’s nice too. I have never been able to get into a Levi weekend so relaxed before. For me, it’s all about it being an attempt,”said the six-time overall World Cup winner, who had decided to compete only on Friday.
Since Monday Hirscher has been standing on the ski every day, so it is logical that he notices the strain. Especially as healthy feet need a while to get used to the exceptional situation of ski boots. The first rides on the training slope in Levi were very hesitant “It is still a waiting time. Do I feel something, don’t I feel anything? But it fits, it’s tenable, no question,”said the Salzburg rider on Saturday evening after the start number draw.
He also looked at the other runners and said,”Of course there’s another tinder behind it. I try to reach my limits in every swing, every time I ride.”