Hirscher skis on the podium at the premiere
The first appearance of the ski brand from Salzburg, which was founded around a year ago, was followed with great interest at the start of the World Cup and observed closely by many – by industry insiders, but also by laypeople. Marcel Hirscher himself is said to have followed the premiere from home and not been in Sölden. After the first round there was a phone call between Kristoffersen and Hirscher, the Norwegian revealed at the finish.
Team: “We’re already a little bit”
After the jump on the podium, which was successful right away, the relief in the team around the new ski brand was great, revealed Van Deer Managing Director Toni Giger: “It’s not that easy to get the set-up so good right away in the first race that a place on the podium is also possible. We’re a bit relaxed, if I’m honest,” said the Salzburger, who was sports director of the Austrian Ski Association (ÖSV) until April 2022.
Analysis after the first race Monday morning in Annaberg
The Van Deer team meets in Annaberg on Monday morning for an analysis. “An analysis of what we can do even better,” said Giger. The first round was still mixed for the team. “Marco Odermatt rode in a league of his own. Now we have to make sure that we work well and that we can still get there, ”explained Giger.
Kristoffersen looking forward to the next race
Working with eight-time overall World Cup winner Marcel Hirscher as the mastermind of the new ski brand and father Ferdinand Hirscher as a inventor in the background, as well as a service team, was a promising mix for Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen: “It’s incredible. I’m looking forward to the next race and to the whole season.” Kristoffersen believes that more could have been done. In the second round after two big mistakes – one before the steep slope – a lot of time was gone. “Without mistakes, second place would certainly have been possible.”
Hirscher skis on the podium at the premiere
Brand logo masked at Premiere
His next races at the Kristoffersen plant in Lech/Zürs and Val d’Isere. The brand logo should also be visible on the skis here at the latest, because it was covered in black on Sunday. The regulations stipulate that only one brand logo may be presented on the skis – however, two logos can be seen on the new Salzburg ski brand. There are good next and constructive discussions with the International Ski Association, one is confident that this will be settled in the weeks, said Toni Giger. On the start and result list, the “Ski” column next to the name of Kristoffersen and Briton Charlie Raposo (56th), who also drives the Salzburg brand, remained empty on Sunday.
Hirscher and his long-time sponsor founded Van Deer-Red Bull Sport Equipment GmbH and also took over Augment’s ski production site in Stuhlfelden (Pinzgau). In 2023, Van Deer should be included in the Austria Ski Pool, from 2025 it would then be possible to equip local elite athletes as well. ÖSV President Roswitha Stadlober welcomes the project, which of course should also include commitment to schoolchildren and young people, as she said.