Matthias Mayer announces shock retirement from Alpine Skiing World Cup ahead of Bormio super-G

ByNigel Chiu

Updated 29/12/2022 at 16:07 GMT

Three-time Olympic champion Matthias Mayer has announced his retirement from World Cup racing to the shock of the Alpine Skiing world. Mayer took part in the course inspection ahead of Thursday’s super-G in Bormio before revealing he has hung up his racing skis. Stream every moment of the 2022-23 Alpine Skiing World Cup live on discovery+ and eurosport.co.uk

Matthias Mayer has announced his retirement from Alpine Skiing with immediate effect ahead of the men’s super-G race in Bormio.

Mayer conducted the course inspection on Thursday morning before revealing to the media that he will no longer race at the World Cup.

The 32-year-old is a three-time Olympic champion with gold medals at the last three Games in Sochi, Pyeongchang and Beijing.

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"I did my last inspection today," he told Austrian television ORF. “I don't want it enough any more.

"I had a wonderful last season with a third Olympic title and I started this one well. I'm happy. But I've had enough."

He added to Eurosport: “Life is life, it goes on. It’s been a really good time. I have to thank the Austrian ski team who worked so hard.

“We will see what the next days bring for me.”

Mayer made his World Cup debut in 2009 and soon became one of the top speed skiers on the men’s tour, surprisingly winning gold in the Downhill at the Winter Olympics in 2014.

Despite not defending that title in 2018, he took super-G gold and became a triple Olympic champion when he won the super-G title again in Beijing earlier this year.

The Austrian never won a World Championship medal but has had 11 World Cup wins and 45 podiums, including a spectacular victory at Kitzbuhel in 2020 to the delight of the home crowd.

Mayer’s rivals were stunned by the news, which comes a week after Switzerland’s Beat Feuz announced his retirement.

“I just heard the news,” Aleksander Aamodt Kilde told Eurosport. “I’m a little bit shocked. I didn’t expect it.

“When you’re done, you’re done. It’s a pity for the sport because he’s a great skier and we are going to miss him on tour. Hopefully he decides to come back!”

Alpine Skiing: Matthias Mayer in Kitzbühel

Image credit: Eurosport

Vincent Kriechmayr was Mayer’s roommate and he was also shocked by the decision.

“It’s a big surprise to me because he’s a fantastic team-mate and a good friend,” he said. “He’s one of the guys who helps the young guys to give them tips.

“He helped me get faster and I’m a bit shocked.”

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Stream the 2022-23 Alpine Skiing World Cup live on discovery+ and eurosport.co.uk

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