Shiffrin Eyes 100 World Cup Wins as Legend Hirscher Returns

AFP/APP

Paris: Mikaela Shiffrin, already a dominant force in World Cup alpine skiing, is set to kick off the new season with her sights set on a historic milestone: becoming the first skier to reach 100 victories on the circuit.

The 29-year-old American closed an injury-plagued 2024 season with 97 wins, having already surpassed the previous record of 86 held by Swedish legend Ingemar Stenmark.

“It’s like I’m not finished with what I want to give and want to get from the sport,” Shiffrin said in an interview with Eurosport last week. “If I’m in good shape, and if it does happen, I see it as a really big opportunity to bolster all the stories that are happening in ski racing right now.”

Adding to the excitement, Marcel Hirscher, another icon of the sport, is making a comeback to the slopes after five years since his retirement.

The Austrian, who retired in 2019 with 67 World Cup wins, claimed Olympic gold in slalom and combined at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games and holds a record eight consecutive overall World Cup titles from 2012 to 2019. Hirscher stands fourth in career wins, behind Shiffrin, Stenmark, and Lindsey Vonn.

However, Hirscher will not compete for Austria; instead, he will represent the Netherlands, his mother’s birth country, for one season. “This weekend will be marked by a historic event, as Marcel Hirscher will make his debut under the Dutch flag,” the Netherlands ski federation announced.

Hirscher’s decision to ski for the Netherlands has been met with mixed reactions, disappointing many in Austria while being welcomed by Dutch ski enthusiasts.

Reflecting on his return, Hirscher stated, “I thought it is fun to be in the race again and it was so much joy. Then I thought to myself, okay, why not ski one year for the Netherlands?”

Since retiring, Hirscher has established his own ski company, Van Deer, supported by long-time sponsor Red Bull. Despite his enthusiasm, he acknowledged the challenges ahead, indicating that aiming for a top 15 finish might be unrealistic at this stage.

As Hirscher prepares for his return, he is unlikely to challenge Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt, the dominant winner of last season’s overall title. Meanwhile, Lara Gut-Behrami captured the women’s globe, marking a successful season for Switzerland.

In another notable absence, Shiffrin’s primary rival in technical events, Petra Vlhova, will miss the opening races as she continues her recovery from knee surgery. “I want to return at full strength,” Vlhova remarked. “It’s been a tough journey, but my knee is in good condition now. I need to feel 100 percent on the skis before I compete.”

As the new season unfolds, all eyes will be on Shiffrin as she aims for her historic 100th win, while Hirscher’s return adds an extra layer of intrigue to the competition.