Hirscher's Comeback Season Ends With ACL Tear. Career Ending ?

The project that Hirscher passionately started this season has unfortunately come to an early end. During yesterday's giant slalom training, the alpine skier slipped and although it looked harmless, he tore the cruciate ligament in his left knee. Hirscher underwent successful surgery last night, but will not be able to compete this season. He will remain in the hospital for observation for the next two to three days and can then start his rehabilitation.

He was successfully operated by Dr. Jürgen Mandl and Dr. Mark Passl in Graz on Monday evening.

Marcel Hirscher sustained the injury during a harmless slip after an inside ski error without falling. ‘Cruciate ligament gone, project over!’, he said very calmly after his suspicions were confirmed during an MRI scan at Dr. Harald Aufmesser's practice in Radstadt. Immediately afterwards, he was taken to Graz, where he underwent an operation with specialists Dr. Jürgen Mandl and Dr. Mark Passl.

The operation lasted one and a half hours and was successful: "The anterior cruciate ligament in the left knee was torn and the outer capsule apparatus was slightly affected, otherwise there were no other injuries. These are the best possible conditions for a good recovery under the given circumstances. Physiotherapy can begin immediately as planned," say the doctors treating him at the Ragnitz Private Clinic in Graz.

‘Of course it's a tough cut after eight months of a heartfelt project and a huge pity, because the whole team, including me, we all had other plans for this winter. It will certainly be hard to watch the races. And yet: I was able to contribute a little something to the future success of our athletes at VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports, for whom I have my fingers crossed - and that was also part of my mission. As is unfortunately the case with skiing: part of the game. Maybe I'm finally done with my journey:

“For the first time, I’m experiencing the painful issue of cruciate ligaments first-hand, which so many have already had to go through,” he said.

“What remains is that these eight months were intense and I had a lot of fun. I would like to thank everyone who made this incredible journey possible and accompanied me on it.”

Marcel tore the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee and also suffered minor damage to the outer capsule of his knee. Fortunately, no other injuries were found. According to the doctor, these are the best possible conditions for a good recovery, given the situation. Hirscher can start physiotherapy immediately.

Marcel Hirscher will remain in hospital for two to three days for observation.