Time to say goodbye

Thu, May  6, 2010 - By FIS

The end of an Olympiad is not only marked by the Olympic Games but often also by the retirement of many athletes who decide to bring down the curtain on their distinguished careers. This year is no exception. The retiring stars include many that have played a key role in defining the sport of skiing in the past years.

The upcoming World Cup season 2010/2011 will take place without some major Cross-Country stars, such as

• Former overall World Cup and Tour de Ski winner Virpi Kuitunen (FIN)
• Sweden's Olympic champion Anna Olsson (former Dahlberg)
• Olympic medalist Sara Renner (CAN)
• Olympic medalist Sabina Valbusa (ITA)
• Former World Cup champion René Sommerfeldt (GER)
• Milan Sperl (CZE),
• Alexander Rousselet
• Celine Storti (FRA)
• Laurence Rochat (SUI)
• Peter von Allmen (SUI)
• Reto Burgermeister (SUI)
• Sean Crooks (CAN)

In Ski Jumping, the retired heroes include Norwegians Roar Ljoekelsoey and Lars Bystoel (before start of season) as well as by Arttu Lappi (FIN) and Bastian Kaltenböck. With the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Oslo coming up next season, the field in Nordic Combined seems to feature more comebackers than athletes retiring. At least the two accomplished veterans Felix Gottwald (AUT) and Hannu Manninen (FIN), both of whom retired previously, are planning to continue their careers to compete in Oslo.