Former ski star Dreßen is looking forward to Hirscher’s comeback

Former ski racer and former Streif winner Thomas Dreßen welcomes the comebacks of Marcel Hirscher and Lucas Pinheiro Braathen in the Alpine World Cup. “It’s absolutely necessary,” the 30-year-old told the German Press Agency on the sidelines of the season opener in Sölden. Both Hirscher and Pinheiro Braathen are athletes “who fascinate the fans,” explained Dreßen. “I’m excited to see where the journey takes both of them.”

Hirscher, eight-time overall World Cup winner and gold medalist at the Olympic Games and World Championships, returns to the World Cup after a five-year break in the men’s giant slalom on the legendary Rettenbachferner on Sunday (10 a.m. and 1 p.m./BR and Eurosport). His comeback has been the dominant topic in Sölden for days. Pinheiro Braathen is back on the big ski stage after a year-long absence. Both athletes will start immediately for their mothers’ respective home countries – the Austrian Hirscher for the Netherlands, the Norwegian Pinheiro Braathen for Brazil.

Dreßen is getting his coaching license

For Dreßen, who celebrated his greatest success in Kitzbühel in 2018 and ended his career marked by many injuries at the same place last winter, a comeback is not an issue in the future. “My body is definitely exhausted, there’s nothing left,” he said. The former world-class downhill skier still wants to stay involved in skiing. He is currently getting his C trainer license. Dreßen explained that he would like to pass on his experiences to young athletes in the future. He cannot yet predict exactly where his path will take him.