Thomas Zangerl waves goodbye

The Austrian Ski Cross Team veteran Thomas Zangerl has announced his retirment from competitive skiing. After 15 years as a pro ski cross athlete, Zangerl decided to put his racing boots aside and join the ÖSV World Cup coaching team along Lukas Inselsbacher and Andreas Slamanig.

"I've been competing on the highest level for the last fifteen years, which makes me a little proud, but now it's time to start a new chapter," explained Zangerl. "I've spent a lot of time thinking about my future career. I've gathered plenty of experience throughout my career and I am looking forward to passing on my knowledge to the younger generation in our team. Younger athletes have always asked me for some tips."

During his long skiing career the 35-year-old Zangerl made 110 World Cup apparences, recording two victories and five more podium finishes. He competed in three Olympic Winter Games (2010,2014, and 2018) and five FIS Freestyle Ski World Championships, with his career's best result coming at the 2009 world championships in Inawashiro (JPN), where he placed second behind his Austrian teammate Andreas Matt.
    
"Thomas Zangerl was an active member of our team for a very long time and his resignation will surely leave a gap. On the other hand I am glad that he will be able to pass his precious experience, which he has acquired as a world class athlete, contributing now as a supervisor in our team, "said Sabine Wittner, the ÖSV ski cross sport director.