21.3.2011

Michael Walchhofer ends his career

After twelve years, one of the greats in Alpine skiing is ending his career. At the World Cup final in Lenzerheide, Michael Walchhofer took part in his last professional race. In actual fact the Super-G on 17.03 should have been the culminating event of his career. The weather, however, prevented this from being the case. As a result, the downhill descent on 16.3 represented his last race.

Many other top athletes have celebrated their departure from the World Cup by wearing funny suits and making jokes. Not so the 35-year-old speed ace. He instead focused on securing overall victory on his last appearance in the downhill World Cup. Ultimately he missed out on his fourth small crystal globe by just a few points.

In his last season as a professional Walchhofer showed that he is still in top form, especially at the start of the season. He secured a victory in Bormio (ITA) on one of the most difficult runs of all. After a short dry spell in January, he made an impressive return after the World Cup. In the Norwegian resort of Kvitfjell he settled an old score: Having previously never won a race here, on his last appearance he went on to secure a victory here too. Walchhofer, from Zauchensee, proved how much at home he feels on TechnoAlpin snow. "We're dependent on technical snow-making for both races and training, and TechnoAlpin ensures ideal and consistent conditions on many World Cup and training runs" says Walchhofer, thanking the company that also sponsored him this year.

After twelve successful years Walchhofer is now retiring from Alpine skiing. In his career he won three small crystal balls, four World Championships and an Olympic medal. His life won't be totally devoid of skiing from now on, of course. After all, Walchhofer lives in the skiing area of Zauchensee, with ski slopes practically on his doorstep.

TechnoAlpin congratulates Michael on his successful last season. Thank you very much for your cooperation and enjoy your life post professional sport!