Citing Garmisch injury, Viktoria Rebensburg retires

Olympic giant slalom champ Viktoria Rebensburg announced her retirement Tuesday, citing a February injury she sustained while racing super G in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

The 30-year-old German took to social media to break the news.

“Today is certainly not an easy day for me, as I have decided to end my career with immediate effect after 13 years,” Rebensburg said. “I made this decision with a heavy heart and after much consideration over the last few weeks. After my injury in spring and the past two months of snow training, I realised that I would no longer be able to reach my absolute top level.”

Rebensburg’s now-career-ending injury came a day after earning her first career downhill victory in front of her home crowd in Garmisch.

“From a very young age, it has always been my ambition and incentive to compete for success and to inspire you on the slopes. But now that I have the feeling that I can no longer live up to this, this is a very difficult but inevitable decision for me. With the memory of my last race weekend in Garmisch and the victory in the downhill, it is a nice time to leave the winter sports stage,” she said.

“I would like to thank my family, friends and fans as well as the DSV with all its coaches, supporters and partners for the wonderful time and the support over the years,” Rebensburg finished. “I would also like to thank my skiing colleagues and all the people I have met in the World Cup over the years.”