Austrian speed specialist Joachim Puchner retires

Austrian speed specialist Joachim Puchner announced his retirement during a joint press conference with his sister Mirjam Puchner.

After not less than 100 World Cup starts, including three podium placements in Super-G (3rd in Kvitfjell 2011 and in Lake Louise 2011) and in Downhill (2nd in Lenzerheide 2011), the 29 year-old Joachim Puchner decided to put an end to his career as an active ski racer.

“99.9% of what I could experience as a professional athlete are nice memories. Alpine skiing is my life and I’d like to stay active in that area, but today I’m starting a new chapter of my life.”

Puchner struggled to come back at his best level since he sustained knee injury from an accident on a slackline last June and had to sit out the whole 2015/16 season. In 2016/17, he mainly raced on Europa Cup level and participated in only two World Cup races.

With Klaus Kroell and Georg Streitberger having announced their retirement earlier this year, the Austrian speed team will miss some important names next season. The three of them together reached 471 World Cup starts!

Joachim Puchner’s younger sister Mirjam is facing a severe injury (tibia and fibula break) sustained at the World Championships in St. Moritz and is working hard to come back and compete in the World Cup again.