Ski-Alpine: Hirscher miracle: Only the flight home went wrong

On this day only the flight home went wrong. The fact that Marcel Hirscher spent a day in Colorado after his big comeback victory was not because he did not want to part with the land of his triumph. Flight problems made him forget his memorable, 46th birthday. World Cup victory Sunday evening in Denver.

Nevertheless, 108 days after his ankle fracture, the Salzburg man floated on cloud seven in a full moon night. It’s at least as remarkable as what Aksel Lund Svindal or Cornelia Hütter did in Lake Louise the day before:”No one had ever been as unexpected as this victory before,”Hirscher admitted. It was certainly one of his biggest career victories, said the six-time world champion and overall World Cup winner.

“Marcel is a wonder of the world”, bowed Marc Girardelli, whose winning brand Hirscher has now reached. The man from Vorarlberg is certain that the 28-year-old from Salzburg will conquer even more crystal balls. The seventh in the current season. Who, Girardelli said, should be able to resist the fighting power of Marcel Hirscher?

Hirscher not only caught up with Girardelli, but also with 23, Michael von Grünigen in third place in the giant slalom best list. Next in front of him is Ted Ligety at 24.

While the American became only seventh on Sunday, Hirscher continued a series of beavers at almost 3,000 meters with burning lungs and thighs (“At this altitude you almost die, we Europeans are not used to that”). Including the World Cup 2015, only he (3) or Ligety (6) won the last nine giant slaloms here. Of the latest 45 GS races only four did not go to Hirscher (18), Ligety (14) or Alexis Pinturault (9).

“To be injured for four months was new to all of us,”Austria’s ski superstar explained his difficult situation after the ankle fracture in August. But he also has to thank his team colleagues,”They kicked my ass every day. So I could improve every day with every swing. But to win right here in Beaver is something completely different.”

Despite time stress Hirscher answered at least the most important questions that came up after his surprise victory at the racetrack:”I took the fullest risk,” he commented on the fact that he had raced from third place in the decision to victory with a new ski, which had been specially made for the start of the season,”This could have been a big step backwards. Since the first day without plaster and crutches the pressure was immediately there again. And now, when I sit there as the winner, I can say it’s all the same again. Especially for the media.”

Due to the Sölden cancellation Hirscher did not miss much in the still young Olympic season. Whether his seventh overall victory is possible and his goal is also possible, Hirscher replied:”I am on the podium here. So it’s certainly possible. But only mathematically. The odds are not the best, but as always, I will strive for the best result in every race.”

Henrik Kristoffersen, sitting next to Hirscher, had the laughter on his side when he interfered and said:”I answer the questions for him simply with yes and yes.” The Norwegian had no hesitation in saying:”Marcel is the best in the world.”

Hirschers race director Christian Höflehner reacted with relief and enthusiasm:”He is simply a race horse. It’s unbelievable for where he came from,”Höflehner described the challenge posed by the new RTL skis with a reduced radius:”The runners have been given years of funneling to drive around. Marcel had to learn in no time at all to straighten the gates again and then to make short pressure.”

Höflehner had already suspected that Hirscher was not threatening a relapse like in Levi,”His first run was just solid. He saw Faivre’s problems, bought it off a little bit. And then we went into the bag of tricks.”