KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia (AP) - Alpine skier Marcel Hirscher feels no pressure at the Sochi Olympics since Austrian teammate Matthias Mayer won the downhill for the sport’s strongest nation.
Hirscher says he’s relaxed because “if I make no medals the nation is not crying.”
The two-time World Cup overall champion is expected to be American favorite Ted Ligety’s main contender in the giant slalom on Wednesday.
Hirscher is also favored for the Saturday night slalom which closes the Alpine program.
Hirscher says there’s “not that much pressure on my shoulders as it has been during the (2013 world) championships in Schladming.”
Then, his slalom victory gave the home team its only world title in its final chance.
Hirscher, who had his first training session here Monday, says “it’s a different situation, for sure.”
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