Marcel Hirscher won a record fifth straight World Cup this season but may remember the 2015-16 campaign for other reasons.
Marcel Hirscher won a record fifth straight World Cup this season but may remember the 2015-16 campaign for other reasons.
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The Austrian, who is the man to beat in World Cup skiing, clinched his fifth crown this week in St. Moritz.
The Austrian, who is the man to beat in World Cup skiing, clinched his fifth crown this week in St. Moritz.
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His success has warranted global attention, and he capped his 2014-15 World Cup globe with a colorful photo shoot for sponsor Red Bull in his native Austria.
His success has warranted global attention, and he capped his 2014-15 World Cup globe with a colorful photo shoot for sponsor Red Bull in his native Austria.
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Hirscher also chases thrills off the slopes -- in his downtime the adrenalin junky takes on everything from tight-rope walking to dirt-bike racing.
Hirscher also chases thrills off the slopes -- in his downtime the adrenalin junky takes on everything from tight-rope walking to dirt-bike racing.
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On the piste, he has been virtually unstoppable. In the 2014-15 season, Austria had double World Cup success as Anna Fenninger won the women's title.
On the piste, he has been virtually unstoppable. In the 2014-15 season, Austria had double World Cup success as Anna Fenninger won the women's title.
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In the 2015-16 campaign, Hirscher won twice at at the World Cup meeting in Beaver Creek, Colorado, and has six other regular-season victories.
In the 2015-16 campaign, Hirscher won twice at at the World Cup meeting in Beaver Creek, Colorado, and has six other regular-season victories.
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But the 27-year-old admits to occasionally struggling with motivation. A lack of Olympic gold (he won silver in Sochi in 2014) is one of his remaining motivations.
But the 27-year-old admits to occasionally struggling with motivation. A lack of Olympic gold (he won silver in Sochi in 2014) is one of his remaining motivations.
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One of the world's best technical skiers, Hirscher dominates in the slalom and giant slalom events.
One of the world's best technical skiers, Hirscher dominates in the slalom and giant slalom events.
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But he admits he struggles with the Austrian media's scrutiny of his private life.
But he admits he struggles with the Austrian media's scrutiny of his private life.
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Hirscher says he pities his girlfriend Laura, who has to endure the hardships of his fame without properly enjoying the successes.
Hirscher says he pities his girlfriend Laura, who has to endure the hardships of his fame without properly enjoying the successes.
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Hirscher's first overall World Cup title was in 2012 -- and he has not relinquished top spot since then.
Hirscher's first overall World Cup title was in 2012 -- and he has not relinquished top spot since then.
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A fifth globe has put him on a par with fellow Austrian Marc Giradelli.
A fifth globe has put him on a par with fellow Austrian Marc Giradelli.
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Hirscher plans to retire in 2019 when aged 30, having had another bid at Olympic glory in South Korea.
Hirscher plans to retire in 2019 when aged 30, having had another bid at Olympic glory in South Korea.
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