Giant slalom in Sölden: Hirscher and Brathen ignite the atmosphere

The return created a cheerful, festive atmosphere for the red-white-red home team at the start of the World Cup in Sölden: After a 2,051-day break, Marcel Hirscher made an impressive return to the World Cup circus. After a long round trip, the eight-time World Cup winner started in Sölden to gather “experiences rather than results”. The Austrian, who now competes for the Netherlands – his mother's home country – was able to score his first goal straight away.

Hirscher is surprised by his appearance

With a gap of 2.29 seconds off Alexander Sten Olsen's best time, the 35-year-old finished 28th in the first round. In the final, the returnee earned his first World Cup points of the season in 23rd place. “It was a big improvement, I noticed that there were not many things missing,” Hirscher said happily after the final round. “It's really great, I'm very, very happy.” “Wow,” he added, but he doesn't know where he got that from. The ski racer was elated after making a strong return to competition. “I'm fine.”

There is definitely more that is possible! Because Hirscher and his ski equipment do not yet form a perfect unit: “Marcel skis with completely new materials, namely skis and boots, which is a big change,” explained BR winter sports expert Felix Neureuther.

On Blickpunkt Sport on Sunday 27 October. (From 10:05pm on BR TV) BR expert Felix Neureuter and former German ski racer Viktoria Rebensburg give their assessment of the start of the World Cup in Sölden.