Ski Racing: Hirscher Wins on Austria Day

SOELDEN, Austria — If Saturday night was any indication, Monday morning will come too soon for Oetztal Valley partygoers who will no doubt litter village sidewalks with broken glass and cigarette butts after Marcel Hirscher set the tone for the 2014-15 season by claiming a decisive victory in the opening World Cup giant slalom on the national day in Austria. Hirscher had twice finished third on the Rettenbach Glacier, but had yet to take the top step of the podium in the October opener which serves as a harbinger for the giant slalom and overall titles.

 

“I’ve been fighting so much for this victory, and finally I got it. I’m super happy, and I wish (everyone) a great party today,” an evidently emotional Hirscher said immediately following the race. “It is not only important for me; I think it is important for the whole nation.”

 

In fact, an Austrian had not won the men’s race since Hermann Maier did so in 2005, one year before Hirscher made his Soelden debut.