How Marcel Hirscher Managed to Become One of the Best Alpine Skiers in History?

You must have heard that Marcel Hirscher is considered as the best alpine skier in history thanks to his numerous trophies. Let’s see how the athlete managed to become 2-time Olympic champion, 6-time World Champion and 7-time World Cup winner.

Marcel Hirscher was born on March 2, 1989, in Hallein, Salzburg, Austria. At the junior level, the athlete won 3 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medals at the Junior World Championships. In 2010, he was the national Austrian champion in giant slalom. Also, he is 3-time winner of the European Cup events and 3-time winner of the North American Cup. In addition, the athlete is the winner of 2012 Skieur d’Or Award

World Championships

Marcel Hirscher poster

Hirscher made a debut at the World Championships in 2009 and was placed 4^th in slalom. He showed much better results in 2013 by claiming gold in slalom and team event and being a silver medalist in giant slalom.

In 2015, the skier also earned three medals. He won gold in combined and team event as well as silver in giant slalom. At 2017 World Championships, Marcel’s tradition of winning 3 medals continued. He was a gold medalist in slalom and giant slalom and a silver medalist in combined.

World Cup

Marcel Hirscher

Marcel Hirscher debuted at the World Cup in 2007. He showed the best results in Kranjska Gora and Bormio, finishing 3^rd in slalom and finished the season on the 153^rd place. In 2008, he rose to the 51^st place, being on the podium only once, after finishing 3^rd in Val d’Isere.

In 2009, the alpine skier was on the 14^th place. He won the giant slalom in Val d’Isere and Kranjska Gora. In 2010, he rose to the 6^th place, winning slalom in Val d’Isere. In 2011, Marcel was on the overall 15^th place after winning 5 slalom and 4 giant slalom events.

Hirscher made a breakthrough in 2012 by winning his first overall title as well as the giant slalom title. In the following 6 seasons, he won the overall titles and became the first male alpine skier to win the overall World Cup title seven times in a row. Also, the athlete got the slalom title 5 times and was the best in giant slalom 4 more times. In total, he won 58 events and rose to the podium 123 times.

Winter Olympics

Marcel Hirscher poster

Hirscher made an Olympic debut at 2010 Vancouver. He finished 5^th in slalom and 4^th in giant slalom. At 2014 Winter Olympics, he also finished 4^th in giant slalom, but managed to win a silver medal in slalom.

At the moment, 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang were the most successful for the alpine skier. He claimed two gold medals in giant slalom and combined.

So, you see that Marcel Hirscher’s way to prominence wasn’t an easy one. He trained a lot, improved his skills and, finally, reached the status of the best alpine skier in the world.