Riegler is not done yet

Time is undefeated. Yet athletes continue to put up one hell of a fight. Count Claudia Riegler amongst the LeBron James’s and Novak Djokovic’s of the athletic world who continue to prove they are not done chasing trophies. 

Age is just a number is a common cliche. However, the 51-year-old Austrian snowboarder seems to view it as a spiritual mantra. When faced with an upcoming young generation of snowboard talent, Riegler sees only peers.

With 415 World Cup starts and four Olympic Games appearances (2002, 2010, 2014, 2018) under her belt, Riegler has an intuitive connection to the sport. Riegler began her World Cup career in 1994. 

Thirty years later, Riegler pushes beyond expectations. Her youthful abilities do not come from a sugar-avoidance diet, magic water sought by Ponce de Leon or a deal with the devil. The magic elixir is mental fortitude.

Riegler added another podium to her illustrious career with a second-place in Yanqing earlier this season. It was her 31st individual podium to go along with eight career World Cup victories. She is sixth in the current overall standings despite a large lead in the age gap amongst the field.  

These accolades are not what drives the Austrian.

She is not so much competing against the field for the top of the podium but against the common opinion that an athlete her age should not still be able to perform at the highest level of their sport. No problem for Riegler, that is exactly who she straps up her board for.

Just like any great athlete, Riegler has plenty of fans and some extra-important ones that are with her every season she returns to the tour.

Any one pushing their body to the limits and physical strain of high-flying Alpine sport must be crazy or at least crazy about what they are doing. Riegler belongs to the latter. The tone of her voice when describing her goals for the season prove her love of the sport is as pure now as on day one.

Of course there have been some pretty amazing moments involving medals along the way. Riegler took home the world championship title in parallel giant slalom in her home country at Lachtal in 2015.

Winning the title may be her favorite moment on a board but her favorite venue is even closer to home. 

“I grew up in Flachau so I still love it there and to shred the slopes at home. And Bad Gastein is one of my favorite spots, it is such an amazing race and beautiful atmosphere,” Riegler said. 

Next week the VISA 2024-25 Snowboard Alpine World Cup tour lands in Bad Gastein, a perfect opportunity for one more trophy on home soil for the veteran. Although Riegler already defeated one fierce competitor before taking the slopes; time.