Olympic and World Championship silver medallist Mirjam Puchner retires

Austrian alpine skier Mirjam Puchner has announced her retirement. The 33-year-old athlete, who won silver at the Olympic Games and World Championships, announced her decision at a press conference. She competed in the World Cup for 14 years.

According to Puchner, leaving elite sport was not a sudden step. She admitted that she had thought about the decision for a long time, listened to her inner voice and ultimately concluded that she had chosen the right moment for a change.

“After many intense years in the Alpine Ski World Cup, it is time to start a new chapter. Of course, this decision was not made in a single day. I deliberately spent a lot of time reflecting, listened to my inner voice and made the right decision,” said the athlete.

Puchner specialised in speed events and noted that competing at the highest level requires taking maximum risks. However, last winter she felt that her previous inner readiness to give everything and take unconditional risks was no longer as strong as before.

“To compete at the highest level of the World Cup, you have to be ready to take maximum risks. However, last winter I felt that something had changed in me. The necessary absolute commitment and unconditional willingness to take risks were not as strong as in previous years. My mind and heart are telling me that it is time to take a step back, and that I need to listen to this feeling. For me, this means that now is the right time to make room for something new,” the alpine skier explained.

During her career, Mirjam Puchner competed in 178 World Cup events and took two victories. The Austrian's main results include:

• silver in the super-G at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing;
• silver in the downhill at the 2025 World Championships in Saalbach.

Puchner's sporting career was also marked by serious injuries. During a training downhill at the 2017 World Championships in St. Moritz, she suffered fractures to the tibia and fibula in her right leg. The athlete was able to recover and return to competition.

As she brought her career to an end, Puchner stressed that she looks back on her journey with gratitude: the emotional victories, podium finishes at major competitions and the fight to return after serious injuries. She said she would take all this experience with her into the next chapter of her life.

“Alpine skiing will always remain part of me, but now I am eagerly looking forward to everything that comes next,” said the Austrian.

Puchner's retirement was commented on by Christian Mitter, head of alpine skiing at the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV). He noted that the World Cup was losing not only an outstanding athlete, but also a strong personality who had confirmed her place among the absolute world elite in downhill for many years.

“Her achievements - from World Cup victories to medals at major competitions - speak for themselves. When an athlete feels that the necessary willingness to take risks in races is not at one hundred percent, retiring from sport is a logical and completely understandable step. I congratulate her on an outstanding career and wish her all the best and great success in the next stage of her life - both professionally and personally,” Mitter said.

Photo: Eurosport TV footage
10:49 03.06.26