Ski ace has said goodbye to the World Cup. © Instagram

“Not wanted”: An angry exit from the ski stage

The Austrian Ski Association continues to experience stormy times: Now a resignation, including a comprehensive attack, is causing quite a stir.

08 May 2025

From: det

Peace after an intense season? No, not at the Austrian Ski Association. In recent weeks, the waves have been rising again and again, especially in the women's team, where Coach Roland Assinger had to endure a lot of criticism. Now there's also a stir in the men's team. The reason for this is the retirement of speed specialist Christopher Neumayer, who is taking a stand against the association after retiring.

Broken agreements, a lack of support, and a system that lacks self-criticism – these are all things the 33-year-old accuses the ÖSV of. "The decision to end my career was more or less taken away from me," he told the Salzburger Nachrichten.

In January 2024, Neumayer achieved his best World Cup result with 12th place in Kitzbühel. © APA / GEORG HOCHMUTH

A quick look back: In January 2024, the 43-time World Cup rider announced his retirement. A few months later, however, the Austrian backed out and wanted to give it another try. "But I quickly realized I wasn't wanted."

“I realized I was running into a wall.” Christopher Neumayer

He speaks of agreements that head coach Marko Pfeifer hasn't kept. "I realized I was hitting a wall. I lack the confidence that is especially necessary in the downhill, 100 percent, to perform," says Neumayer, who adds to the association: "Nobody is questioning themselves. And yet, my development isn't improving."

The coach defends himself

Neumayer also mentions a dispute with head coach Marko Pfeifer. What does the coach say about this? "There was never a dispute, but rather clear criteria for qualification, where Christopher was simply significantly slower than the others. He was far from his aspirations."