Austria's Werner Franz announces retirement

Austrian speedster Werner Franz retired from World Cup competition Thursday, joining former teammate Andreas Schifferer — who called it quits Wednesday — on the sidelines
THE SECOND MIDSEASON retirement in two days has been announced by the Austrian ski team as Werner Franz joined Andreas Schifferer on the sidelines Thursday, one day after Schifferer announced his retirement.
    While Schifferer had not made a start since the end of the 2006 season, Franz had started at Lake Louise, registering a 33rd-place finish, and had participated in downhill training earlier this week at Val Gardena, Italy.
    Franz missed the 2006 season after sustaining a severe leg break in Portillo in the preseason that nearly resulted in amputation and forced a three-hour operation. He had previously broken a shoulder blade in 2004, missed most of the 2001 season to leg and arm injuries and had undergone surgery on both knees and a hand prior to that.
    Franz had recorded two World Cup victories, the first in super G at St. Anton, Austria, in 2000 and in downhill at Val d'Isere, France, in December 2004. In addition, he registered 19 World Cup podiums, two in combined, four in super G and the rest in downhill.