It rarely happens that Marco Schwarz gets really emotional for once. The 29-year-old from Carinthia always seems to be at peace with himself, whether in triumph or in defeat.
Even his Cruciate ligament tearthat brought him to his knees in December 2023, he stoically accepted like it was just a cold.
These days Marco Schwarz is suddenly showing a completely different face that we don’t even know about him. The impending return to the World Cup leaves the Carinthian prudent euphoric be, not to say: turned up.
“The joy is huge,” said the 29-year-old before his comeback on Sunday in the slalom in Val d’Isère. “The tingling sensation will be great.”
Two injuries
When Marco Schwarz competed in his last ski race, he was number 1 in the world and wore the jersey of the World Cup leader. The fatal fall on the descent from Bormio Not only did the high flight come to an abrupt and painful end, it also took the excitement out of last winter’s World Cup.
Marco Schwarz, the last all-rounder in the field, was the only runner expected to be the Swiss Marco Odermatt in the fight for the big crystal ball.
If the 29-year-old returns now 353 days after his injury, then you should no miracles expect. The torn cruciate ligament and the usual accompanying damage to his knee were not the only health handicaps that Schwarz had to deal with.
Pig year
Just as he was back on his feet and about to go to summer camp in South America, the Austrian was hit by one Intervertebral disc injury out of step, which even required an operation in September. “It was a real pig year.”
Since the first snow training at the end of October, Schwarz has made huge progress, which is why the Carinthian is now starting the World Cup a week earlier than planned. “I feel ready, the naturalness has returned again and I don’t think much at the start.”
Christian Hirschbühl has to give up his place for Schwarz, who slipped out of the top 15 in the starting list due to the injury break. Manuel Fellerwho recently skipped the giant slalom in Beaver Creek, is also at the start.
Ski stars against FIS President
Meanwhile, a letter from the ski stars is causing a stir FIS President Johan Eliasch. It is the second letter of protest from Mikaela Shiffrin, Marco Odermatt & Co. within a few days.
Background: The world association objected 400 million euro offer of the investment company CVC to market skiing.
The athletes are demanding more say and a closer examination of this offer. “We strive for a strong vision that eliminates some of the stagnation that currently exists in our sport,” Blick quotes from the letter.