After 14 years in the Ski World Cup, Ramona Siebenhofer officially announced her retirement from active skiing today. The Styrian decided to put the racing skis in the corner after 205 World Cup races and to devote herself to new tasks.
"I noticed that I no longer have the willingness to take risks to compete at the highest level. At the last start in Soldeu, I had the feeling that it might have been, but did not want to make a quick decision in the emotion. Well, at a distance, I can say with certainty that I will turn my back on professional sports. I take many great moments and successes from this time with me, especially the downhill double victory in Cortina was one of the highlights in my ski career for me. It was a nice, exciting and educational time that I don't want to miss, but now I'm looking forward to a new phase of life, “ so the all-rounder, who has completed the police school and will soon start working at PI Murau. „ I would also like to take this opportunity to warmly welcome my friend and family, my trainers and supervisors, who made skiing possible for me and supported me over the years, thank you. A big thank you also goes to all sponsors, equipment suppliers and partners, as well as the Austrian Ski Association and the BMI."
The Styrian made her World Cup debut in December 2009 in Lienz. At her second World Cup race, the giant slalom in Maribor in January 2010, she reached sixth place in the second round with the best time. In 2015 she made the leap to the World Cup test for the first time with a third place in the Downhill from Lake Louise ( CAN ). She won the first World Cup in January 2019 in Cortina d’Ampezzo ( ITA ), where she won the downhill again a day later. So far, Ramona is the only ski racer who has managed to win both runs in Cortina d’Ampezzo in a row. At the end of the 2018/19 season, she landed in third place overall behind Nicole Schmidhofer and Stefanie Venier. Ramona took part in four world championships with a total of 10 starts and, with two fourths - once only 0.04 seconds behind - and three fifth places, always narrowly missed a medal. After 14 years of the Ski World Cup, with two World Cup victories, seven podium and a total of 19 top 5 finishes in four different disciplines, the 31-year-old is now ready to open a new chapter in her life. Ramona, as an athlete for the top police squad, started police training in 2017 and successfully completed the service test last year.
Reflections:
"Ramona has played an important role in our women's team over the years. The Austrian Ski Association loses a great and personable athlete who will undoubtedly be missing. We wish Ramona all the best for her future, she will surely master her new task with determination and enthusiasm as well as in ski racing. With her personality, she will certainly be able to achieve a lot in her next stage of life with the police," said ÖSV President Roswitha Stadlober.
"It is a shame for the Austrian Ski Association that alongside Nicole Schmidhofer and Tamara Tippler, Ramona Ramona Siebenhofer will also be missing next season. On the other hand, there is now the opportunity for young athletes to move into the World Cup squad. I thank Ramona for all these years in the ski association, she has achieved many successes and has always been at the side of the young runners with advice and action “, said Herbert Mandl, Alpine skiing director.
Austrian Ski Team press release