Will be interesting to see what it means for Dave Ryding - they had a great race in Kitzbuhel last year but Ryding has yet to beat him & win a WC. Who knows, it could be a lucky break for him. Will certainly be very exciting in Levi, one of his best venues
I don't think it means too much. Dave Ryding is a very solid SL specialist, ranked around 10th in the world. But, not only has he never won, he's been on the podium just once, last year at Kitz. He's also 31, not a kid. It sounds like Hirscher might miss Levi, and no other SL's. So, I guess that is one start when Hirscher, who I don't think has ever finished behind Ryding, might "free up" some room. But there are a lot of guys in that top 10 that typically beat Ryding. It's a tough group.
I'm looking for HK to have a dominant SL season. We'll going to see a lot stronger guy, based on rumors of his summer training. A lot of iron, a lot of food, etc. I think Michael Matt will have one, too. He came on so strong last year. Both are about 23?
Kind of curious about Levi being "one of his best venues?" I am guessing you mean Hirscher, who has had done really well there. Ryding, has not done much there, but then again his skiing has really improved just a TON over the past two seasons. Lots of reasons for that. Not sure the easiest hill on tour suits Dave. Very, different that the hill at Kitz, for example, with all of it's terrain,changes, pitches, etc. I would think that a guy who grew up doing a lot of skiing on plastic and indoors who be the opposite, though he does well on hard hills. Maybe he'll keep closing the gap with the top handful?
I'm assuming that this injury to Hirscher is just not going to be significant, as I hear no reports of people close to expressing concern. And normally when things are problematic, you hear it sneak out. Quick doom and gloom. At least that's the norm. I recall after Anna Veith's crash, the press was chasing it up as a typical knee ACL/MCL. Then a number of people on the hill, and close to the Austrian system, started quietly chatting that it was so much worse. Pretty quickly, there were rumors that she might never return. Hearing NONE of that with this. As others have said, he should be in fine shape by the time the meat of the season starts. It's more of an aggravation, it sounds like. Messes up the timetable, others will be testing his skis, etc. Even at 85%, Hirscher can win any day, IMO.
Almost two and a half months {at the latest} from when the cast comes off until Val D'Isere, second week of December. At that point he would have missed one SL, and two GS.
Also going to be very interesting to see how the GS season unfolds on the new skis. A different subject.
I would love to see Ryding and Khoroshilov on the SL podium in Korea, BTW. Incredible long shot, but sure would be fun. And very non alpine power like! Two very well liked guys.
Hope everybody stays healthy!