The World Cup opener in Solden once again created a festive atmosphere for the red-white-red hosts: after a 2,051-day absence, Marcel Hirscher made an impressive return to the World Cup circuit. After a long back-and-forth, the eight-time overall World Cup winner began gathering “experiences instead of results” in Solden. The Austrian, who now plays for his mother’s home country of the Netherlands, scored his first straight goal.

Hirscher is surprised by his own appearance

The 35-year-old finished 28th in the final, 2.29 seconds off Alexander Steen Olsen’s best time, with the returnee scoring his first World Cup points in 23rd. “It’s a big improvement,” Hirscher said happily after the final round. But he didn’t know where he got it from, and the Sky Racer lit up after he made a strong return to competitive mode. Of course there is more potential! Hirscher and his ski equipment have not yet formed a perfect unit, BR winter sports expert Felix Neurether explained: “Marcel skis in completely new materials, namely skis and boots, which is a big change.”

New Brazilian Brathen missed the podium

But the return of former skiing star Hirscher wasn’t the only thing that electrified the crowd. After his retirement, Lucas Pinheiro Pratan danced quickly back on the course and flew from 19th place in the first run, missing the podium in the decisive round – he was 24 cents short in the end. Places one through three went to his former teammates. Alexander Steen Olsen celebrates his first win ahead of Henrik Kristoffersen and Adele Lee McGrath.