The Austrian alpine ski team resigned on the sidelines of the squad announcement for the coming winter.
“10 years. Many moments. A journey that lasts. Exactly 10 years ago I was able to do my first World Cup race – a dream that shaped my life,” Daniel Danklmaier said goodbye to alpine skiing in an Instagram statement.
Great bad luck with injuries during his alpine skiing career
The 33-year-old wrote about many “ups and downs” during his active career. The Austrian’s highlights included a fifth place in the legendary Kitzbühel downhill run. Danklmaier also pointed to seven top ten places in the World Cup and two World Cup starts.
A look at Danklmaier’s injury history shows that things didn’t always go up for him in alpine skiing. The ÖSV athlete had to undergo a total of eight operations. Among other things, he suffered four (!) cruciate ligament tears.
ÖSV publishes its alpine ski squads
“Many setbacks, many doubts – but just as many comebacks,” said Danklmaier, summing up his odyssey.
“Thank you to my team and everyone who has accompanied me over the years – I don’t have to name names, YOU know it. A special thank you to my wife, family and friends – you have always been by my side,” the 33-year-old addressed his closest confidants. Danklmaier also thanked his sponsors.
“Now it’s time to close this chapter. I look back with gratitude and look forward to what’s to come! THANK YOU!”, the now former alpine skier concluded his statement.
The Austrian Ski Association ÖSV published its squad for the 2026/27 season on Monday. Danklmaier was already missing, now it’s clear why. The long-time winter sports professional will follow the events in the World Cup from a distance as a spectator.
