Record World Cup winner Gregor Schlierenzauer ends his successful ski jumping career.
The 31-year-old Austrian announced this on Tuesday.
"Ending my active career was not easy for me after all that I was able to experience as a top athlete - but the decision as well as the timing feels right," said Schlierenzauer.
The 53-time World Cup winner won a total of twelve World Cup medals - six of them gold.
In 2010 he was also a team Olympic champion in Vancouver.
The Four Hills Tournament was won by the long-time dominator of the scene, who was ski flying world champion four times in individual and with the team, twice in 2012 and 2013.
“Gregor did a great job for ski jumping.
His extraordinary career is peppered with superlatives.
Basically, he has achieved everything that can be achieved, won almost everything that can be won, and it is also thanks to him that the sport is where it is today, ”said Mario Stecher, Sports Director Ski nordic of the Austrian federation.
What the ski jumper would do in the future remained open at first.
“The last few months have been challenging for me.
In a positive way.
Due to the injury break, I had enough time and the necessary distance to come to terms with the past and see where I am now, explained Schlierenzauer himself. at the age of 24 he already had his 53 World Cup victories.
This was followed by a mental low, numerous injuries and repeated attempts to return to the top of the world.
Even with the support of the former national coach Werner Schuster, that was no longer possible.