Ski great Hirscher pulls out of Olympics, ends season

Two-time Olympic champion skier Marcel Hirscher announced on Friday that he was pulling out of the rest of the season, including the upcoming Winter Games, due to a lack of form.

The 36-year-old seven-time world champion returned to competitive skiing last winter following five years of retirement, but his season was cut short after just three World Cup races by a torn cruciate knee ligament.

This season, a calf injury forced him to rest for two weeks around Christmas, costing him valuable training opportunities.

“There is a lot of speculation about whether or not I will start the World Cup,” the eight-time Crystal Globe winner said in an Instagram video post.

“The truth is that it is not possible at this time. The speed I can ski at is not World Cup level.”

The Austrian, who has competed for the Netherlands, where his mother is from, since his comeback, has won 67 World Cup races during his career and is widely considered one of the greatest skiers.

“If I want to race in the World Cup, I want to do it well and that’s not possible for now,” he said.

“For that reason, I will not ski this season, and I will not go to the Olympics.”

The Milan-Cortina Games start in less than a month’s time.

But this is not the end for Hirscher.

“I will continue training and I hope to see you next season,” he added.