After 18 years in the World Cup circuit, alpine skier Andreas Sander is ending his career due to a serious cell disease.
The 36-year-old will say goodbye to competitive sports as part of the international German championships in Axamer Lizum in Tyrol, the German Ski Association (DSV) announced on Wednesday (March 25, 2026).
Sanders’ greatest success was winning the World Cup silver medal in the downhill in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, in 2021. The Ennepetal native has not competed in a World Cup race in the past two years.
Andreas Sander says hello.
Sander was physically extremely weak at times
“After my illness, I tried everything to be able to do competitive sports again“, said Sander, who was diagnosed with mitochondrial dysfunction in 2024. This means that his mitochondria, which provide energy to the body’s cells, are not working properly, as the speed specialist explained at the time. Sander was physically extremely weak at times, could only go for walks and had to sit down again and again.
“Although I’m feeling much better in everyday life now, my goal of racing at World Cup level is still not possible. That’s why I’ve now decided to finally put an end to my career” said the two-time Olympian.
World Cup debut in 2008
He is proud of what he has achieved in ski racing. Sander has competed in a total of 197 World Cup races since March 2008, finishing on the podium twice. In the Super-G in Aspen (USA) he narrowly missed victory in 2023.
He is currently consciously leaving his professional future open, said family father Sander: “At the moment I would like to concentrate on my health situation and on the fact that things continue to improve. Basically, I am and will certainly remain connected to skiing.“
Sander “a pillar as an athlete and person”
Sander has shaped the German speed team with his success and consistency over many years, said DSV sports director Wolfgang Maier. He was “a supporting pillar as an athlete and person“We regret and respect Sanders’ decision.
