Closing the Book at the Top
OBERPERFUSS, Austria — Stephanie Venier is putting her skis away. The 31-year-old Tyrolean announced her decision Thursday afternoon at the Sulzstichhütte on the Rangger Köpfl in Oberperfuss.
The move, long suspected in Austrian ski circles, comes only months after the defining moment of her career. In February, she became super-G world champion at her home championships in Saalbach and added bronze in the team combined. She had already owned downhill silver from the 2017 Worlds in St. Moritz, where only Ilka Stuhec was faster.
“My Chapter Is Written”
“The snow remains – but my chapter is written. I laughed, cried, fought, doubted. I fell – and got up again every time,” Venier wrote on Instagram. “Thank you, skiing. You will always be a part of me. I’m leaving – healthy, fulfilled, and happy.”
She told reporters the choice came after long reflection. “The idea of ending my career is not entirely new and has been maturing in me for some time,” she said. “But I wanted to take enough time for this radical decision. Once it’s made, there’s no turning back.”
The “unconditional will” that elite sport demands had faded in recent months. She started training again in May, then asked herself if this was still the right thing. “It obviously wasn’t,” she said.
A Career of Speed and Success
Venier’s record includes 169 World Cup starts, 12 podiums split evenly between super-G and downhill, and three wins — two in downhill and one in super-G. She competed in five World Championships for Austria, earning three medals, and represented her country at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.
“Skiing has always meant the world to me, and I could never imagine a life without it,” Venier said. “Now I feel a new phase of my life awaits me, and I’m curious about what exciting things the future holds.”
She said she is grateful for the lessons and adventures of her career and for avoiding major injuries, but recurring knee problems made her reluctant to keep pushing her body.
Retirement Signs Were There
Her choice will surprise few. Speculation started after last season ended and grew stronger in recent weeks. While most racers posted images from snow training or gym sessions, Venier shared private moments — her bachelorette party with fiancé and fellow racer Christian Walder, leisure time, and packing away her medals and trophies.
Last winter, she had already hinted she might step away after fulfilling her childhood dream of winning a world title. She also became one of the first Austrians to openly question the leadership and communication of head coach Roland Assinger.
Knee trouble kept her out of the 2024–25 World Cup Finals in Sun Valley. She declined to revisit her dispute with Assinger on Thursday, saying the focus was retirement. But in a Kleine Zeitung interview published the same day, she said she still expects a public statement.
Assinger’s Parting Words
In an Austrian Ski Association release, Assinger said their differences had been addressed. “Even though there were misunderstandings in the communication between Stephanie and me, we were able to resolve them in an internal discussion,” he said. “We had a constructive exchange and parted ways on good terms.”
He praised her achievements, especially her Saalbach medals, and called her departure “regrettable” but “well-considered.”
End of an Era for Austria
Known in the ski scene as “Aunt Gucci” for her love of handbags, Venier is the 10th Austrian woman to leave the sport before the 2025–26 Olympic season. Others include Michelle Niederwieser, Tamara Tippler, Elisabeth Kappaurer, Angelina and Amanda Salzgeber, Elisabeth Reisinger, Maria Niederndorfer, Marie Therese Haller, and Valentina Pfurtscheller.
About the Author: Peter Gerber Plech
