One of the most interesting topics of the men’s alpine season is the former alpine star, Austria by Marcel Hirscher return to the alpine slopes – as a ski manufacturer.
Hirscher dominated both the slalom and giant slalom slopes for years and was number one in the overall cup a whopping eight times in a row. Ski slopes Hirscher, 33, left three years ago and has been preparing his own ski brand ever since.
Rarely does any brand reach the world cup circles as quickly as Hirscher’s VanDeer has managed to do now. But the interest value peaked at that point in the fall, when last season’s slalom cup winner, Norway Henrik Kristoffersen said goodbye to his ski partner of many years and moved to VanDeer’s camp.
Kristoffersen, 28, and Hirscher were the fiercest rivals when the Austrian was still counting.
The Norwegian star cursed for many years that he was born at the wrong time, because Kristoffersen, who was thirsty for victories, had to settle for second place in competitions time after time after Hirscher won. Now this duo, who worked hard together over the years, are now working together.
– It is very refreshing that a new ski brand has come to confuse the old big ski companies. The great thing about it is that they have immediately got the world’s top scorer in their stable. It will be interesting to see if they get a result right away, because Kristoffersen is one of the best scorers in the world, Urheilu’s expert Kalle Palander states.
– So what if it doesn’t work out. Kristoffersen has been very shy about criticizing his tools if the bill doesn’t go through, Palander continues.
VanDeer’s entry into the market has not gone unnoticed. The Austrian Ski Federation has had to make many hard-class jobs open, when the federation’s director of development and innovation Tony Giger jumped on Hirscher’s bandwagon.
After Giger’s departure, also the title of Austria’s ski maintenance guru Edi Unterberger followed behind. Naturally, Marcel’s father too Ferdinand is involved with his son in the development of a new ski. The duo was already heavily developing Hirscher skis at Atomic.
VanDeer’s background also includes an energy drink company that plays a large role in sponsoring alpine skiing. It is feared that cooperation will change the alpine world. Especially when many skiers have already gathered their own coaching teams around them – both top players and skiers who have been left out of the national teams.
Among other things, Kristoffersen has had his own coaching team for many years, whose salary costs are partially covered by the energy drink company in question.
– The cooperation pattern is revolutionary for the alpine skiing business. The Alpine districts have already had time to consider whether the development will at some point lead to team thinking similar to professional cycling. Will the national teams lose their role in the future, Palander wonders.
Palander longs for the stars to return to slalom
Last season was especially variable in men’s slalom. There were a lot of dropouts and the winners changed from race to race, and not a single competitor scored points in every race. However, Palander would not like to see another similar season in slalom.
– I would like slalom to return to what it used to be. I wish there was someone who could dominate, like Alberto Tomba in due course, Hirscher or Ted Ligety on the giant slalom side, Palander lines up.
Ligety-like dominance in giant slalom last season was already seen when Switzerland Marco Odermatt was on the podium in every race. Odermatt won the giant slalom cup with a difference of 267 points to the next, Kristoffersen.
Odermatt won five races out of eight, was second twice and third once. In addition, he won the Olympic gold in the giant slalom. Since Odermatt was also strong in speed sports, he was able to lift the big crystal ball for the winner of the overall cup at the end of the season.
– It will be interesting to see if Odermatt can continue as strong this season. I don’t think I can dominate in the same way anymore. You could also see from social media that he has had a lot of work during the summer. How much has it affected the summer training, Palander reflects.
Finnish representation is small
For Finns, the representation of the World Cup is largely Samu Torstin in reserve. The 31-year-old Torsti will start his fourteenth season in the World Cup, but he will miss the season’s opening race in Sölden due to the addition of a family.
Finland has been represented since 1994, so for the first time in 28 years the opening competition of the season will be counted without a Finnish man.
– I find it worrying that no replacement was found for Samu. Salomo Sirviö has reportedly been in good shape, but he was not selected for Sölden. They didn’t want to put him as an inexperienced counter in such a tough place as Sölden. Personally, I would have liked to see a Finn on the starting line now as well, Palander regrets.
Those who want to become a rate calculator Elian Lehto has joined the Swiss European Cup team to train.
Last season Oskari Sulkakoski toured the slalom world cup a lot, but probably this season you won’t see Finnish color in slalom.
The first round of the Sölden giant slalom in Areena and TV2 on Sunday from 11 o’clock. Second round at Areena at 2 p.m. and on TV2 at 5 p.m.
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