Simon Maurberger: "Then the air was out of the balloon."

114 World Cup races with five top-10 finishes, a bronze medal in the 2019 World Championship team event, and six European Cup victories – these are the impressive statistics. But Simon Maurberger was much more than that as an athlete: never a show-off, always modest, with a keen eye for what truly mattered. And a hard worker who never let numerous setbacks get him down.

When was the decision made that you would resign? "My goal was the 2026 Olympics. I clearly missed that. From then on, I knew – that was it."

Wasn't the Olympics a long way off? After all, you weren't even on the national team in recent years, were you? "I was aware of my limited options, since I was no longer in the national team. But that didn't harm this belief, this goal. I was always able to prepare and train very well with a private team and the sports group."

Why didn't it work then? "That's not easy to explain. I didn't take advantage of the three starting opportunities I got in Gurgl, Val d'Isere, and Alta Badia. Once I narrowly missed out, finishing 35th, and twice I had no chance because of the slope. After that, I didn't get another chance to compete. Things went really well at the beginning of the European Cup, but as soon as it was clear that I could forget about the Olympics, I lost my motivation."

Simon Maurberger at the World Cup in Val-d'Isère in December 2025. © ANSA / SEBASTIEN NOGIER

They frequently finished in the top 10 and won World Championship bronze: Why is it so difficult to perform at the highest level for years on end? "Because so many factors come into play in ski racing. The technique, the approach, the equipment, the team environment: if there's a good atmosphere, everyone is fast. If the team dynamic isn't working well, then it just doesn't work. Skiing is only partially an individual sport, from start to finish. Everything else is a team sport. If the group dynamic isn't working, then everything suffers, and everyone and everything is affected. You can see that with the technical groups of the 'Azzurri' for some time now, and it's no secret."

Did you lack that last bit of conviction, arrogance, and self-confidence? "No, I wouldn't say that. I was someone who relied on a functioning group to perform at my best. I missed that a lot recently; it was something I lacked and it affected my performance."

They were also seriously injured. Did that have no effect? "I don't think so. I always recovered well. It was more the group dynamics that weren't right. I often wasted too much energy on trivial things."

What advice would you give to young ski racers who want to reach the very top? "To remain patient, to believe in yourself, and most importantly: to enjoy what you do. It is a privilege to be good and fast in any sport."

Simon Maurberger always remained true to his principles. © APA/afp / JOE KLAMAR

As a very young athlete, you moved from the east of the country to the west, to the sports high school in Mals. Did that go well? "It was a cool experience. I've always been rather independent, and I learned a tremendous amount there. I had to organize myself, keep an eye on the materials, and travel back and forth by bus and train. These years have helped me grow in every respect."

It is said that defeats take you further than victories... "There aren't many athletes who win more often than they lose. You certainly learn from losses, but also from victories. Losses toughen you up tremendously."

Looking back, what moments come to mind spontaneously? “Oh, there are countless ones I’ll never forget. If I had to pick two, it would be the bronze medal in the Mixed Team Event at the 2019 World Championships and the 5th place finish in the night slalom in Schladming in January 2020. Ten days later, I tore my ACL in Chamonix…”

Her best friend all these years? "Tommaso Sala was and is my best friend. We came together in the national team when we were 18 and have always followed the same path. We were together for eleven years, that definitely shaped us."

Is there anyone you would like to thank in particular? "That would be going too far here. That I was able to have such a career is thanks to countless people. Starting with my first coach, my uncle Peter. Then the coaches at SK Ahrntal, the coaches at the regional team, and then the many people on the national team. But above all, the many supporters from home. I didn't come from a wealthy family; our resources were limited. Nevertheless, there were so many who always believed in me. The fact that they valued me as an athlete, but above all as a person – that makes me the proudest and is the most wonderful thing about it all."

Simon Maurberger wouldn't be Simon Maurberger if he didn't know what was coming next, right? "I will remain in this business, namely ski racing. From the end of May, I will continue with my coaching training. There are several options, but I would like to pass on my long experience as an athlete."

Immediately in the national team, or rather at a lower level in the club? "We'll see. I can only emphasize that the 'Azzurri' certainly have athletes in the technical disciplines who, with the right approach, can be brought to the level of world-class performance. Unfortunately, a great many are being burned out because the current approach of those in charge is clearly not working as it should."

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Simon Maurberger: "Then the air was out of the balloon."

"Simon out," or roughly translated: Simon is gone now. That was the title of an Instagram post by Simon Maurberger last weekend. The 31-year-old announced his retirement from competitive skiing at the end of the season. In an interview, he gives some insight into his decision.

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