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Recent FIS News
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Time to say good-bye: Freestyle and Snowboard Retirements
Every end of the season not only marks the beginning of a short summer, but also a time where some athletes decide to end their active careers. The following retirements in Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding have been brought to the attention of the FIS Newsflash:
On the Freestyle Skiing side, Canadian mogul skier former world champion Pierre-Alexandre Rousseau is retiring to pursue a career in skydiving. The 32-year-old has claimed 23 podium finishes in 147 World Cup starts in his 15-year career and was fifth at the Vancouver Games.
The 35-year-old Canadian ski cross athlete Davey Barr from Whistler has also announced retirement. Barr helped to build up the Canadian team in 2007, winning a world championship medal and participating in the Vancouver Games 2010. Barr’s teammate ‘Big Bad’ Brian Bennett, too, is hanging up his skis after seven years in the Ski Cross World Cup. Racing in 50 World Cup events, Bennett’s best results include six top-10 finishes at the World Cup level.
From the Swiss men’s ski cross team, Andreas Steffen, Richard Spallinger, Manuel Eicher and Thomas von Gunten are ending their careers. These Bernese Oberland skiers are long-term ski cross pioneers and veterans who will now make way for the next generation if competitors in the strong Swiss team.
Concerning Snowboarding, In the beginning of April 2012, Graham Watanabe decided to quit active competing in snowboarding. Two-time Olympian in 2006 and 2010, he represented the United States at three World Championships (2005, 2007, 2009) and brought home five World Cup podium results including three wins. He was also the first American male to win a boarder cross World Cup.
The 27-year-old cross boarder Mike Robertson had to give up active racing due to health reasons. The Canadian, who impressively won the silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Games, took part in the 2009 World Championships and competed in 31 World Cup races where he finished on the podium twice.
Meanwhile, Francois Boivin (CAN) has decided to take it easy for family reasons. After debuting in the World Cup in 1999, the two-time Olympian finished tenth in 2006 and twelfth in 2010, and can look back on a total of 114 World Cup starts. He ends active racing with a total of three World Cup podium finishes.
As the athletes bid farewell to their competition days, FIS would like to acknowledge these athletes for their commitment and contribution to the disciplines of Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding and wishes them health and happiness in their future lives.