Thomas Morgenstern Retires

Thomas Morgenstern retires as ski jumper. The Austrian announced this during a press conference in Salzburg on Friday. It was an emotional goodbye at hangar-7. “Athough it’s not easy for me, I take this decision with a positive feeling. I look back at the past years with pride and gratefulness and I wouldn’t have wanted to miss a thing”, the 27-year-old put into words.

German Release

Thomas Morgenstern’s career was stamped with lots of highs and some lows. With only 16 years he secured his first World Cup victory in Liberec. In 2006 he won two Gold Medals in the Olympic Games in Torin (individual and team competition). ‘That was for sure one of the best moments in my career.’

No other Austrian winter sport athlete has won more medals (20) at world class competitions: Olympic Games 4 (3x Gold, 1x Silver), World Cups 11 ( 8x Gold, 2x Silver, 1x Bronze), Ski-FlyingWorld Cup (3x Gold, 2x Bronze). In addition to this, the Austrian reached every other goal he set for himself: 2x Overall Winner of the World Cup (2007/08 and 2010/11), winner of the Vierschanzentournee (2010/11). The only title that eluded him was the singles title in the Ski-Flying World Championship. Overall he stood 76 times on World Cup podiums, 23 of those occupying the top spot.

Throughout his career he had a few falls that caused him setbacks. In Kusamo 2003, Liberec 2009, (on the way to a medal), or Kuopio 2009 (during training) he was able to escape from injuries. In 2013 he fell on the landing in Titisee-Neustadt and suffered deep cuts on the face and broke his left pinkie finger. One day before he had celebrated his first World Cup victory in two years. After his fast comeback the Austrian secured a second place at the Vierschanzentournee with a special splint for his finger. Two weeks after he fell from a great height at the Kulm and suffered heavy injuries in the head and lungs. With strong will and the best possible support he fought back to win the silver medal in the Team Competition at the Sochi Olympic games. What nobody knew at this point was that it would be the culminating and crowning point of his career.

After a short break, he started intensive preparation for the 2014/15 season with the support of his new coach Heinz Kuttin who up to that point was Morgensterns’ base trainer in Villach. His physical condition was at an ideal level, but the mental aspects were a big question mark. ‘I have worked intensively, I attended therapy regularly, and step by step came closer once more to the big jump. Even if the feeling was at times quite good, every jump cost me a great amount of energy.’

After the last team training in Innsbruck the decision was finally made. ‘I was hit by the wind again and immediately lost control of my arms. Then I new that this wouldn’t work. My inner voice said ‘No’! If I was 20 this would be different. Now I’m 27, have reached all my goals and I’m a proud father of a daughter. I think I don’t have anything more to prove.’

Morgenstern describes the feeling after his decision, ‘To be honest I’m relieved. It’s a big weight off my shoulders. I look back with pride and gratefulness at the past years which have given me many unforgettable memories. Now it’s time for me to stop and focus on new goals. I’m looking optimistically at my future.’

The Austrian didn’t want to define exactly what this future holds. ‘I have some ideas in mind, for example getting my helicopter pilot’s license. I don’t want to say anything specific yet, it’s too early to tell. I will use the upcoming weeks to hold some talks, and do things that I’ve wanted to do for a while now, and of course spend lots of time with my family and my daughter Lilly.’

Morgenstern also took the chance to thank, ‘ Thanks to all the people who have supported me along the way; my managers, sponsors and my family, specially to my mother and father. It would be a long list to mention everyone but without you I would have never come so far. A special thank you goes to all the great fans who pushed me in my highs and helped me get back up in my lows. Feeling this support is one of the nicest things there is. You will for sure hear from me in the future on my Website, Facebook and Twitter accounts.’

On Tuesday, September 30th, starting at 18:30 there will be a Twitter session via @redbullAustria where Thomas Morgenstern will answer fan questions.

If or how he will remain in the skijumping world remains to be seen. ‘ I will for sure be on site in one or the other competition supporting my team colleagues, the rest we’ll see.

Thomas Morgenstern Press Conference 2014 Salzburg – Austria ‎(12)
Thomas Morgenstern – Best Of ‎(6)
Thomas Morgenstern in Planica – 2006 ‎(1)

Photo credit: Mirja Geh / Red Bull

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