Marcel Hirscher, the world’s best Alpine skier for the last six years, will wear a cast for six weeks after breaking his left ankle in slalom training Thursday, according to Austrian media.
On the first day of preseason training, Hirscher, 28, turned awkwardly hitting a gate in video posted on his Facebook page. He will not require surgery, according to the Austrian Ski Federation.
The World Cup season starts Oct. 29 with the traditional opening giant slalom in Soelden, Austria, where Hirscher has finished on the podium the last five years.
Hirscher owns more World Cup overall titles than any man in history after taking his sixth straight crystal globe this past season.