Alpine skiing-Austrian ski legend Hirscher confirms comeback at World Cup opener after five years

FILE PHOTO: Alpine Skiing - FIS Alpine Ski World Cup - Men's Downhill - Kitzbuehel, Austria - January 20, 2022 Forerunner, Austria's Marcel Hirscher in action during the men's downhill REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo

(Reuters) - Alpine skier Marcel Hirscher announced on Friday he will come out of his retirement to compete at the World Cup opener in Soelden, Austria on Sunday after a five-year absence.

Hirscher, 35, retired in September 2019 as one of Austria's most successful skiers, winning a record eight consecutive overall World Cup titles from 2012 to 2019, along with seven World Championship gold medals and two Olympic titles.