Kirchgasser Makes Plans to Retire

World Cup veteran Michaela Kirchgasser was not named to the Austrian Olympic Team for PyeongChang, and in the aftermath, posted to Facebook, with language indicating that she will be retiring.

“And suddenly you know: It’s time to start something new and to trust the magic of the beginning!!” she wrote.

With speculation swirling, she clarified her plans with Kleine Zeitung, saying that she wants to compete through the rest of the season.

“With the combination in Crans Montana and the slalom in Ofterschwang, there are only two more races that I can drive and where I will say goodbye to the ski circuit and my fans,” she told Kleine Zeitung.

The 32-year-old skier has three World Championship medals to her name as well as three World Cup wins and 17 World Cup podiums. This season, she has been plagued by a series of DNFs with her best result coming in Levi where the Austrian earned 11th.

“Not participating in the Olympics has made me even more aware that the end of time in the World Cup is fast approaching,” Kirchgasser continued.