The time for farewell has come: Celina Haller is retiring. © Pentaphoto

With a heavy heart: South Tyrolean woman ends her skiing career

In the middle of summer, there is news from the South Tyrolean ski scene: A slalom specialist has ended her career with a heavy heart.

July 06, 2026

It wasn't long ago that Celina Haller celebrated a great success. At the beginning of April, the 26-year-old from Schenna finished third in the slalom at the Italian Championships in Sestriere. This was her first medal at the national championships. At the same time, it was Haller's last major race, because it's now clear: the South Tyrolean has ended her skiing career.

“At some point, enough is enough,” says Haller, when SportNews She reached him on Monday morning. "I would have liked to continue for another year, but it just doesn't make much sense anymore." Background: Haller has not been part of the Italian national team for three years, meaning he has had to fight his way through on his own recently.

Celina Haller in action. © Pentaphoto

As if that weren't difficult enough, she constantly faced other obstacles. "I had my best season in the winter of 2024/25, finishing in the top 10 several times in the European Cup and narrowly missing out on a guaranteed starting spot for the following World Cup season. Despite this, I was told I could compete in both the World Cup and European Cup throughout the entire season. Shortly before the first World Cup race, I injured my ankle and had to take a month off. After that, I was hardly considered anymore. I often received a cancellation just a few days before the races," Haller explained.

"It's hard to let go." Celina Haller

Her record from last season: one World Cup start in Courchevel and five European Cup appearances. "It probably wouldn't have been much better next season. And at 26, you have to ask yourself whether it still makes sense to only compete in FIS races. For me, the answer was no, also because it's an expensive sport," said Haller, who has therefore decided to retire. "It's naturally hard to let go; after all, skiing has been my life for so many years," said the slalom skier.

Celina Haller is also a gifted footballer: now she wants to concentrate on that.

Haller competed in the World Cup six times and in the European Cup, the second-highest racing series, 52 times. "I still have fond memories of my first World Cup race, but also of the European Cup seasons. I was always traveling a lot with my dad," said Haller, who has been accompanied and supported by her father, Norbert, in recent years. She expressed her special thanks to him in closing. "I would also like to thank my entire family, as well as the Finanzsportgruppe and my sponsors, who have always supported me. And thank you to everyone who has stood by me through thick and thin."

Full throttle on the football field

What's next for Celina Haller? "I'm currently working at the barracks of the Financial Police in Predazzo. I don't know exactly what my future holds yet. But I'd like to stay in the ski area," says the 26-year-old.

And: She can now pursue her second great passion, football. Next season, the striker will play for the Oberliga team Tscherms-Burgstall-Gargazon. "In recent years, I've always played football after the ski season, mostly for Riffian Kuens in the Oberliga. Now I'll be playing my first full season as a footballer," Haller says happily.