Two years ago, Hirscher’s once fiercest competitor, who often seemed to despair of the Salzburg man’s dominance, changed his work tools and is the flagship of the Van Deer brand. The collaboration between the two top stars soon bore fruit. In January 2023, Kristoffersen gave his supplier his first two World Cup victories. At the World Championships in Meribel, the Norwegian was even crowned slalom world champion on the Hirscher battens.
Despite the close collaboration, Kristoffersen also knew nothing about Hirscher’s plans. “He called me in the evening to say something would be in the newspaper in the morning. At first I thought there would be a change in the company,” said Kristoffersen in an interview with Oliver Polzer on the “Sport am Sonntag” program. The fact that Hirscher then revealed his comeback to him “surprised him a bit, I have to say.”
Henrik Kristoffersen in an interview
It was a duel in the ski circuit for years. One that can be revived this winter. Henrik Kristoffersen has won three times with the Van Deer skis. As a guest in the studio, he spoke about whether that was enough of an endurance test for Hirscher and about his life on and off the slopes.
In any case, Kristoffersen is very positive about the return of the eight-time overall World Cup winner – and not just as advertising for the now shared supplier. “I think it’s very cool,” said the 29-year-old, who, however, “doesn’t know 100 percent” what Hirscher’s plan is. For the time being, the Salzburg player needs to get the necessary FIS points – for example in the summer in New Zealand – in order to be able to compete in the World Cup again. In any case, Kristoffersen is convinced that the fans will see Hirscher with a “number of 40 to 50” at the start of the World Cup in Sölden: “With his quality, he certainly has no problem getting into the top 30.”
“He hasn’t forgotten anything.”
The Norwegian was able to see for himself that Hirscher never let the reins slide, even during his five years of ski retirement, during joint ski tests and training sessions over the past two years of business collaboration. “We did a lot of slalom training last year. He’s not slow and hasn’t forgotten anything, that’s for sure,” said Kristoffersen, who also doesn’t rule out an early return of his 35-year-old “boss” to the top three: “If he wins races again or (at least) is on the podium , it wouldn’t surprise me.”
APA/Barbara Gindl Two years ago, competitors Marcel Hirscher (left) and Henrik Kristoffersen became “business partners”
The winner of 30 World Cup races said that in the past he was often visibly annoyed when Hirscher snatched a victory from him, but there were never any hostile feelings between them: “He is a great person, a great friend. The last few years as boss were also really cool. We all have the same goal.” And this goal is above all the ski brand with the deer antlers in the logo, which is still very young compared to the other brands.
Highly motivated after “most difficult season”
But the coming season should also be a kind of comeback season for Kristoffersen himself. Because last winter the Norwegian went without a win for the first time in a long time. It was the “most difficult season” of his career. There were many reasons for this: “Many people don’t know this, but I had surgery on my ankle last May. It took six weeks until I was able to train fully again. Then I was also injured, my thigh was injured after a fall in the slalom, and I was in pain the whole winter.”
In addition, the coordination between people and material did not always work as desired last season. “It is therefore important that you know what the problems are, that you find solutions and continue to work together towards a goal,” says Kristoffersen, who is optimistic about the coming season with the highlight of the World Cup in Saalbach: “That’s why I am Highly motivated, aggressive and looking forward to the coming season. I’m hungry for more wins, that’s for sure.”
Not averse to changing nations
Speaking of hunger for victories: To satisfy this, Kristoffersen could also join forces with the neo-Dutchman Hirscher and his “former” Norwegian compatriot and neo-Brazilian Lucas Braathen. Although the 29-year-old is still officially flying under the Norwegian flag, he is competing as a lone fighter in the World Cup due to numerous disputes with the association. At least briefly, a smile crosses Kristoffersen’s face when he is asked about it. But nothing more than a “let’s see” could be elicited from him.
However, he had “already thought” about a change of nation like those of Braathen and Hirscher, but because both parents are from Norway, it would be much more difficult. There is one nation that young father Kristoffersen, who will also be getting married this year, could warm to: Austria. The 29-year-old has lived in Salzburg for years and now calls Austria his home. Therefore, it is not surprising when he says: “If there is an opportunity to drive with a red-white-red suit, why not.” Addition: “Let’s see.”
