Marcel Hirscher's plan to attack the World Cup under the Dutch flag has been complicated by the FIS canceling his season wildcard.
What happened?
The FIS had announced a wildcard rule for athletes with major successes in the past, but faced criticism from athletes and officials, prompting FIS President Johan Eliasch to reconsider.
The federation has now decided that Hirscher will not receive a wildcard for the entire winter, instead requiring him to submit an application for each individual race.
Why it matters for Marcel Hirscher
This decision is a damper on Hirscher's preparations, which were already facing material problems and concerns with his new boots.
Hirscher had hoped to polish up his FIS points account with starts in the Continental Cup in New Zealand before the upcoming World Cup season.
What comes next?
Hirscher will need to apply for individual race entries, which will be decided on separately by the race management.
Although it is likely that his applications will be approved, this adds uncertainty to his preparations.
The former champion has four weeks to get his problems under control before the start of the season in Sölden.
And his rivals, such as Marco Odermatt, are already showing strong form, with Odermatt beating his best mark from the summer of 2023 by around three percent in strength and endurance tests.
Gino Caviezel is also skiing strong times after switching from Dynastar to Atomic.
Hirscher's material problems and boot concerns will need to be addressed quickly if he is to compete at the top level.
The FIS decision has added an extra layer of complexity to Hirscher's World Cup return, making his preparations even more challenging.
So the question remains, can Hirscher get his problems under control in time for the start of the season?
The answer will have to wait, but one thing is certain, Hirscher's World Cup return will be closely watched.
The former champion's ability to overcome his current challenges will be crucial in determining his success in the upcoming season.
But for now, Hirscher's focus will be on resolving his material problems and securing individual race entries.
This will be a tough test for the eight-time overall World Cup winner, but he has shown his ability to overcome adversity in the past.
The World Cup season is just around the corner, and Hirscher's preparations are underway, albeit with some setbacks.
The start of the season in Sölden is just four weeks away, and Hirscher will need to be ready.
The pressure is on, but Hirscher has shown he can handle it, and his fans will be eagerly waiting to see him back in action.
The World Cup return of Marcel Hirscher is shaping up to be one of the most exciting storylines of the season.
And with the FIS decision adding an extra layer of complexity, it will be interesting to see how Hirscher navigates the challenges ahead.
But one thing is certain, Marcel Hirscher will give it his all, and his fans will be cheering him on every step of the way.