Austrian veteran Kroell announces retirement

After a successful career on the World Cup, Austrian speed specialist Klaus Kroell has decided to put an end to his racing career and retire from the World Cup circuit. The 36-year-old Kroell retires with six World Cup victories–four in downhill, two in super-G–18 other podiums, and a career-highlighting World Cup downhill title in 2012. Kroell’s 156 career World Cup downhill starts is also the most ever, which speaks to his talent and longevity on the demanding circuit.

After making his World Cup debut all the way back in 2000 in Chamonix, France, Kroell chose the last speed events of the 2017 regular World Cup season in Kvitfjell, Norway, as his swan song. The Norwegian venue is special for Kroell, as he took three of his six World Cup victories there.

The 2012 season was a banner year for the Austrian as he claimed three World Cup victories en route to the downhill globe, which he clinched at World Cup Finals in front of a home crowd in Schladming, besting reigning World Downhill Champion Beat Feuz of Switzerland by only 7 points.

Kroell hopes to now pass on the experience gleaned from such a long career down to the next generation of World Cup stars as he has already started the necessary education to become a ski coach.

“After such a long time in ski racing, the day has come to put an end to my career,” he said. “Of course it is very emotional, but I really enjoyed downhill until the very end. Even if the results were not there anymore, it was always a pleasure to be in the starting gate, and I always gave my best. My highlight was certainly the downhill globe win in 2012. It has always been one of my biggest goals, and to reach it at home at the Finals in Schladming was a privilege.”

Information provided by FIS