ⓒ SALZBURG24
Marcel Hirscher, the eight-time overall World Cup winner, has suffered a devastating setback. During a training run on the Reiteralm, he tore his cruciate ligament, prematurely ending his comeback season and requiring surgery. The 35-year-old skier announced the news himself, stating that his comeback project is over. This injury also rules him out of the World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm.
Hirscher described the situation as “brutal,” but maintained a positive outlook, stating he’d rather experience this at 35 than during his prime. This is his first cruciate ligament injury, a common challenge for skiers. He expressed gratitude for the support he received during his eight-month comeback attempt, highlighting the intensity and enjoyment of the experience.
Despite the disappointment, Hirscher remains positive, expressing his enduring love for skiing on Instagram, alongside a video showing the moment of injury. Fellow skiers, including Felix Neureuther and Marco Schwarz, offered messages of support. His return to the World Cup after a five-year hiatus began with a 23rd place finish in Soelden’s giant slalom, but his slalom performance fell short of expectations.
The surgery was deemed successful, with doctors reporting a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and minor damage to the outer capsule. Hirscher now faces a period of physiotherapy, shifting his focus from equipment adjustments to recovery. He acknowledges the difficulty of watching races from the sidelines but feels he contributed to the future success of his Van Deer team, a key part of his mission.
A cruciate ligament tear involves damage to the knee’s stabilizing ligaments, typically due to sudden twisting or impact. This results in knee instability, pain, and swelling; a serious injury hindering athletes’ training and competitions and potentially causing long-term joint problems.
