Sabine Payer announces retirement after an outstanding Snowboard Alpine career

Austrian Snowboard Alpine star Sabine Payer has announced her retirement from competitive snowboarding, bringing to a close one of the most successful careers in the history of the FIS Snowboard World Cup.

Payer leaves the sport as the most successful Austrian female Snowboard Alpine athlete in World Cup history, with 21 World Cup victories (13 individual and eight team wins), two Team Crystal Globes, three FIS Snowboard World Championships medals, and an Olympic silver medal from the women's Parallel Giant Slalom at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

"The Olympic Games and winning the silver medal were an incredible happy ending and the perfect way to finish an amazing journey," Payer said. "After everything I had been through, I was already grateful just to be on the start line in Livigno. Winning silver and receiving congratulations from so many of my competitors who were genuinely happy for me made it even more special. It wasn't an easy decision to retire, and of course there is some sadness, but after 16 World Cup seasons, it feels like the right time."

Payer first showcased her immense talent by winning back-to-back Junior World Championship titles in Parallel Giant Slalom in 2009 and Parallel Slalom in 2010, competing under her maiden name, Sabine Schöffmann. She claimed her first World Cup victory in December 2014 in Montafon, marking the beginning of a remarkable career at the highest level.

Over the following decade, Payer established herself as one of the sport's most consistent athletes. She stood on the World Cup podium 49 times, including 21 victories, and finished inside the overall World Cup top 10 in 11 of the last 12 seasons. Her best overall ranking was third, achieved on four occasions.

She also enjoyed considerable success in the mixed team events, winning Team Crystal Globes in 2021/22 alongside Alexander Payer—whom she married in July 2024—and again in 2023/24 with Andreas Prommegger.

While major championships initially brought disappointment, Payer's perseverance eventually paid off. At the 2023 FIS Snowboard World Championships in Bakuriani, Georgia, she claimed bronze in Parallel Slalom and silver in the Mixed Team event with Prommegger. Two years later, the duo added another World Championship bronze in St. Moritz.

The defining moment of her career came at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, where she captured Olympic silver in the Parallel Giant Slalom. The medal carried particular emotional significance after years of heartbreak: she missed the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games due to a severe leg injury sustained just before the Games, and although she travelled to Beijing 2022, a positive COVID-19 test forced her into quarantine, preventing her from competing.

"It wasn't always easy to come back after injuries and setbacks, and that required a tremendous amount of energy," Payer reflected. "But the sport has given me so much in return. I especially think of the home races at Simonhöhe, where I celebrated four World Cup victories. I would like to thank my family and friends, the Austrian Ski Federation, the Austrian Armed Forces, my sponsors and partners, and everyone who supported me throughout my career."

Although stepping away from competition, Payer will remain involved in Snowboard Alpine by contributing her experience to the development of young athletes at the Simonhöhe snowboard training centre. She also welcomed the confirmation that Parallel Giant Slalom will remain on the Olympic programme, with a Mixed Team event set to debut at the Olympic Winter Games French Alps 2030.

Christian Galler, Head of Snowboard Alpine and Snowboard Cross at the Austrian Ski Federation, praised Payer's achievements, highlighting her resilience and long-standing presence among the world's elite. "Sabine was a cornerstone of our team and remained at the very highest level for more than a decade. Her Olympic story shows that hard work and determination can overcome even the toughest setbacks. She has given us many unforgettable moments throughout her career."

The FIS Snowboard family congratulates Sabine Payer on an exceptional career and thanks her for the many memorable performances she delivered in Snowboard Alpine. We wish Sabine all the very best for the next chapter of her life and look forward to seeing her continued contribution to the sport through the next generation of Snowboard Alpine athletes.