Marcel Hirscher’s return to skiing over after ACL injury as focus shifts to recovery
Successful ACL surgery marks a promising start to Hirscher’s rehabilitation journey
Marcel Hirscher’s highly anticipated return to skiing has been dealt a significant blow after the Austrian icon ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during a training session on Monday. The eight-time overall World Cup champion had recently come out of retirement to embark on a new project in competitive skiing but now faces an extended recovery period following surgery.
The injury occurred during a routine giant slalom run on the Reiteralm. Hirscher lost his balance after a minor inside ski error, though he did not fall. “Cruciate ligament gone, project over,” Hirscher calmly reflected after an MRI scan confirmed the severity of the injury. He was swiftly transferred to Graz, where surgeons Dr. Jürgen Mandl and Dr. Mark Passl performed a successful operation at the Ragnitz Private Clinic.
The 90-minute procedure addressed the torn ACL and a minor injury to the outer capsule apparatus, with no further damage detected. Dr. Mandl described the outlook as positive: “These are the best possible conditions for recovery. Physiotherapy can begin immediately, as planned.”
Hirscher is expected to stay in hospital for observation over the next two to three days. Speaking from his hospital bed, he acknowledged the emotional impact of the setback. “After eight months of pouring my heart into this project, it’s obviously a tough moment. We had big plans for this winter, and it’s a pity I won’t be on the slopes as planned. But I’m proud of the contributions I’ve made to VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports and to our athletes’ future success.”
Despite the disappointment, Hirscher remains philosophical. “This is part of skiing; injuries are part of the game. Experiencing an ACL rupture first-hand is something new for me, though it’s something so many others in our sport have faced. What stays with me is the joy and intensity of these past months.”
Hirscher had been training with VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports, a team he co-founded, blending his competitive spirit with mentoring younger athletes. While this latest challenge sidelines him for the foreseeable future, his contributions to the sport’s next generation remain steadfast.
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