Marcel Hirscher is coming out of retirement. He plans to ski for the Netherlands, his mom’s nation [Video]

Marcel Hirscher, one of the most successful ski racers of all time, is planning to return next season after five years in retirement. And the record eight-time overall World Cup champion is going to compete for the Netherlands — his mother’s country — instead of his native Austria.

The Austrian winter sports federation, known as the OSV, announced Wednesday that it had released the 35-year-old Hirscher and endorsed his nation change.

Hirscher then said in a statement from the Dutch Skiing Association that he’s returning “simply because I enjoy it.

“I have an excellent relationship with the ÖSV and am grateful to them for everything we have achieved,” he added. “This new project is best realized as a Dutch person.”

While there have been Dutch skiers who have competed on the elite level, never has the Netherlands — a country with no mountains — had a top racer anywhere near Hirscher’s …