Hirscher’s Peers Pay Tribute
This week, one of the greatest ski racers of all time, Marcel Hirscher, called it quits. In his career, he collected 67 World Cup wins, three Olympic medals, nine World Championship medals, 12 slalom and giant slalom crystal globes, and an unprecedented eight, straight Overall World Cup titles from 2012-2019.
Since the close of last season, his ski racing future was uncertain, and many are surprised to see such a young, talented athlete – arguably at the pinnacle of his career – say goodbye to the sport.
“The last two weeks have seen a lot of turbulence, but I feel very clearly and there were many reasons. I’m at the pinnacle,” he told reporters Wednesday at a press conference he held surrounded by all his crystal globes. “My body is a bit tired after 12 years. It’s a very decisive argument. And the fact, of course, that I wanted to leave as a champion.I always wanted to quit at a moment where I knew I could still win races.”
And so he did.
Since the announcement, many of his peers have paid tribute to him via Instagram. Longtime tech rivals, Ted Ligety and Alexis Pinturault have even called him GOAT. Below are some of the posts remembering Hirscher and his impressive career.