I've watched and skied with Stenmark, skied with many world cup winners, world champions and there were other great skiers obviously, but never one like this, who has dominated 7 world cup seasons in a row in two highly difficult and technical events. There were flashes by others sure, Ligety had his time, Von Gruenigen had his time, Marc Girardellli, Hermann Maier had great careers, but nothing like this.
Hirscher makes it look like it's too easy to win, at times like today. But you can see he is working hard, you can see his power, his quickness his perfect technique, a step above the rest. However, in the men's field, there are others that are super talented, Hirscher is a once in a lifetime super athlete. He is in the same league with Federer, Gretzky, and Bolt.
I don't see Hirscher as a machine, he has finesse when needed, he has touch, he creates more and higher lower leg angles, he has more tipping movement, by far more than any of his competitors. He is never caught pushing on a straight leg and waiting for the ski shape to do all the work. He is constantly moving his lower body to increase his angles through the arc to tighten the arc, this is what gives him the extraordinary rebound, which he uses to get high angles for the next arc. Simply, beautifully harnessed energy to watch. He wastes nothing in a race course.