Potential wildcard doesn't change Hirscher's travel plans

Despite the possibility of a wildcard for the start of the World Cup on August 9, Marcel Hirscher will travel to New Zealand to compete in the FIS races there. The ski star believes the new wildcard system is a “good idea”.

Despite the chance of a wildcard, Marcel Hirscher wants to continue the New Zealand trip. “It’s a good idea that the FIS now seems to want to introduce the wildcard system because it has also proven successful in other sports. For me and my plan, the announcement doesn’t change anything at the moment: I’m going to New Zealand on August 9, hoping to have good testing and training conditions there and I would also like to take part in one or two FIS races on Coronet Peak,” Hirscher explained.

There he will see, as Hirscher said in response to the APA’s request, “where I actually stand after five years away from the screen.” It was recently announced that there will also be wild cards in the future Alpine Skiing World Cup, that is, free participation in competitions for deserving athletes. Wild cards should be reserved for those who have won either the overall World Cup, the discipline ball (plus five individual victories) or the gold medal at the Olympic Games or the World Cup.

Without the wild card, Hirscher will need new points from the FIS.

Hirscher meets all of these criteria. If the 35-year-old from Salzburg gets a wildcard – which is likely – he could be at the start of the giant slalom in Sölden on October 27, regardless of how many FIS points he collects in New Zealand.

The FIS points list – similar to the tennis world ranking – is a long-term assessment. So Hirscher, who competed in his last World Cup race to date on March 17, 2019, still has some active time left in his account. However, he is outside the top 150 in the technical disciplines of slalom and giant slalom, and would not be able to start if the new season starts now without the wildcard rule. At the time of his retirement, Hirscher had no points in either event and was therefore at the top of the rankings. (APA)