Stephanie Venier (AUT/Head) has officially announced her retirement from alpine ski racing after twelve seasons on the World Cup circuit. The 31-year-old Tyrolean, who has enjoyed a decorated career, says she is ready to explore new opportunities beyond competitive skiing.
Venier explained that the idea of stepping away had been on her mind for some time, but she wanted to carefully consider such a life-changing decision. Recently, she admitted, she no longer felt the same drive and determination required at the highest level. Her biggest goal had been to win a medal at the home World Championships in Saalbach a dream she exceeded by taking Super-G gold and team bronze earlier this year.
Making her World Cup debut in January 2013 at St. Anton am Arlberg, Venier quickly rose through the ranks. That same year, she captured Junior World Championship gold in Super-G and silver in downhill, later adding another silver in Super-G in 2014. Her first World Cup podium came in the 2016/17 season, followed weeks later by downhill silver at the World Championships in St. Moritz. In 2018/19, she finished second in the downhill standings after a consistent season.
Over her career, Venier earned 54 top-ten finishes, including three victories and nine other podiums. Her crowning moment came in 2025 with her home World Championships triumph in Saalbach. She says skiing has been her life, but she feels it is the right time to start a new chapter, especially to protect her long-term health from recurring knee issues.
Grateful for a career largely free from major injuries, Venier expressed heartfelt thanks to her family, friends, coaches, support staff, sponsors, the Customs Sports division, and the Austrian Ski Federation. “As the saying goes, the best time to retire is at the top,” she said. “Now I’m ready to turn the page and see what the future holds.”
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