The 2026 season has marked a profound turning point for men’s Alpine Skiing World Cup, as a notable cohort of high-profile athletes, ranging from established legends to promising talents, have announced their retirement. This significant exodus sees a cumulative legacy of over one hundred World Cup podiums and 41 victories depart from the competitive circuit, ushering in a new era for the sport. The departing class includes figures who defined their generation through sheer dominance, those who overcame immense personal adversity, and others who consistently pushed the boundaries for their respective nations, leaving an indelible mark on alpine racing’s history and its future trajectory.
Legends Depart: The End of Illustrious Eras
The retirements of athletes like Alexis Pinturault, Adrien Théaux, and Dave Ryding signify the close of truly illustrious chapters in alpine skiing. These individuals, each a titan in their specialized fields, have shaped the competitive landscape for well over a decade, inspiring millions and setting new benchmarks for performance.
Alexis Pinturault (FRA, 1991, Head)
At 35, Alexis Pinturault steps away from the snow as arguably the most versatile and defining all-around skier of his generation. A stalwart competitor for Head skis, boots, and bindings, the Frenchman meticulously crafted a career characterized by extraordinary adaptability, immense physical strength, and an unwavering commitment to pushing limits across every discipline. His remarkable consistency on the grandest stages is underscored by his three Olympic medals and three World Championship titles, including two in the demanding alpine combined event and one in the team parallel competition. These accolades solidify his place among the sport’s elite, demonstrating his capacity to deliver under the most intense pressure.
On the fiercely competitive World Cup circuit, Pinturault amassed a staggering 34 victories and 77 podium finishes. His dominance was particularly evident in giant slalom, where he claimed 18 wins, alongside 10 alpine combined victories, three slalom triumphs, and single wins in super-G, parallel, and city event formats. The zenith of his World Cup career arrived in 2021 when he secured the coveted Overall World Cup title, complemented by the giant slalom globe in the same season, unequivocally confirming his status as the most complete skier in the world at his peak. Having made his World Cup debut in Åre, Sweden, in March 2009, Pinturault’s career spanned more than 15 years at the highest level, a testament to his enduring talent and dedication. His departure is met with profound respect from competitors and fans alike, acknowledging his significant contributions and his enduring legacy as one of alpine skiing’s all-time greats, whose technical mastery and strategic racecraft will be sorely missed.
Adrien Théaux (FRA, 1984)
Adrien Théaux, retiring at 41, concludes a remarkably long and consistent career that saw him firmly entrenched among the speed elite. The veteran Frenchman recorded 13 World Cup podiums throughout his tenure, evenly split with six in downhill and six in super-G, alongside one in alpine combined, showcasing his versatility within the speed disciplines. He proudly stands as a three-time World Cup downhill winner, with memorable victories in Lenzerheide in 2011, Kvitfjell in 2013, and Santa Caterina in 2015, a period that highlighted his aggressive, limit-pushing style in speed events.
Théaux represented France at an impressive nine World Ski Championships between 2007 and 2025, securing a bronze medal in the 2013 super-G in Schladming, a career highlight on the global stage. Furthermore, he proudly flew the French flag at three Olympic Winter Games (2010, 2014, and 2018), achieving a personal best finish of 11th in the 2014 super-G. A dependable and formidable presence for the French national team over his extensive 22-year World Cup career, Théaux consistently brought immense strength, courage, and unwavering commitment to some of the world’s most demanding and perilous tracks. His retirement leaves a significant void in the French speed program, where his experience and consistent performance were invaluable.
Dave Ryding (GBR, 1986, Head)
At 39, Dave Ryding closes one of the most improbable and remarkable careers in the annals of British alpine skiing history. Against all odds and the traditional dominance of alpine nations, Ryding transformed himself into a consistent force in slalom through decades of relentless hard work, unparalleled determination, and an unwavering belief in his potential over the last 25 years. His career is punctuated by seven World Cup slalom podiums, most notably his historic victory in Kitzbühel in 2022. This triumph was not just a personal milestone but a landmark achievement for British sport, marking the first and, to date, only World Cup win for a British alpine skier. He also added two city event podiums to his impressive tally.
A five-time Olympian, Ryding’s career narrative is defined by a relentless progression, a mastery of technical strength, and an extraordinary ability to challenge and often outperform the world’s best alpine nations. Beyond his extraordinary results, his impact resonates deeply through the profound inspiration he has provided to countless young British skiers, demonstrating that with sheer grit and dedication, seemingly impossible dreams can be realized. His story is a powerful testament to perseverance, defying geographical and financial limitations, and proving that passion for the sport can transcend traditional boundaries. The skiing community widely acknowledges his departure as the end of a truly unique and inspiring journey.
Careers Cut Short: Resilience Amidst Adversity
The 2026 retirements also shed light on the brutal realities of professional sport, where external factors, unforeseen circumstances, or personal health battles can prematurely conclude even the most promising careers. Alexander Khoroshilov, Niels Hintermann, A.J. Ginnis, and Jacob Dilling represent athletes whose journeys were marked by such challenges, yet whose legacies are defined by their resilience and courage.
Alexander Khoroshilov (RUS, 1984)
Alexander Khoroshilov, retiring at 42, experienced a career tragically cut short by circumstances beyond his control. The FIS ban on Russian athletes following the war in Ukraine abruptly ended his competitive trajectory, preventing him from a proper farewell from the World Cup tour – a poignant and unfortunate reality for a well-respected figure in the sport. Khoroshilov dedicated nearly 18 years to the World Cup circuit, making his debut in December 2004 and accumulating a total of 192 World Cup starts.
He holds a unique place in Russian alpine skiing history as one of only two Russian skiers to have won an alpine World Cup race, and remains the most recent to do so, with his memorable victory in Schladming in 2015 among his 10 career podiums. He proudly represented Russia at nine World Championships (2005-2021) and five Olympic Games (2006-2022), with his fifth-place finish in the 2017 World Championships slalom in St. Moritz marking his best major championship result. His consistent performance, despite representing a "smaller skiing nation," highlighted his exceptional quality as an athlete. His forced retirement underscores the profound implications of political decisions on individual athlete careers and the global representation within the sport, leaving a bitter taste for many who admired his dedication and sportsmanship.
Niels Hintermann (SUI, 1995, Atomic)
Niels Hintermann, at 30, steps away from competitive skiing after a career marked by both powerful performances and immense personal courage. He had firmly established himself as a formidable force in downhill, recording six World Cup downhill podiums, including two impressive victories, both achieved in Kvitfjell in 2022 and 2024. Earlier in his career, his versatility was evident when he won an alpine combined race in Wengen in 2017.
However, Hintermann’s career was significantly interrupted when he missed a portion of the 2024 season and the entirety of 2025 while bravely battling lymph node cancer – a profound challenge he confronted with the same strength and determination he brought to every ski race. His remarkable comeback in his final season (2025–26) saw him add two more World Cup top-10 results, including a best performance of sixth in the iconic Kitzbühel downhill in January. Even within a Swiss team renowned for its depth in speed disciplines, Hintermann consistently stood out for his raw power and unwavering commitment in downhill. His return to the top after such a severe health crisis and subsequent retirement is a story of immense resilience and inspiration, earning widespread admiration from the global skiing community.
A.J. Ginnis (GRE/USA, 1996)
At 31, A.J. Ginnis has made the difficult decision to call time on his career, largely due to being hampered by persistent injuries over his final two seasons. Ginnis’s career path was unique, as he initially represented the United States before making a significant switch in allegiance to his native Greece, a nation he has represented with distinction ever since. While competing for the United States, he earned a bronze medal in slalom at the 2015 World Junior Championships in Hafjell, hinting at his burgeoning talent.
His career reached a historic crescendo within weeks of each other: he scored a groundbreaking World Cup podium finish, placing third in the slalom in Chamonix, and then followed it up with a silver medal at the 2023 World Championships in Courchevel. These results were not merely personal triumphs but marked a rare and significant breakthrough for Greece, a non-traditional alpine nation, highlighting Ginnis’s exceptional ability to compete at the absolute limit in slalom against the sport’s giants. His journey exemplifies the potential for smaller nations to achieve elite status through dedicated athletes and serves as an inspiration for emerging ski programs globally.
Jacob Dilling (USA, 1999, Atomic)
At 26, Jacob Dilling, a promising American talent from the Ski and Snowboard Club Vail and the University of Colorado, announced his retirement, a decision unfortunately influenced by chronic back pain. Though he did not make a World Cup start, Dilling was a consistent and fierce competitor on the Continental Cup tour, particularly the Nor-Am Cup circuit. His achievements included a significant win in 2023 and a podium finish in Lake Louise in January of his final season.
Prior to his collegiate career at the University of Colorado, Dilling was a member of the U.S. Ski Team and competed in 14 career Europa Cup races, gaining valuable international experience. His strong NCAA career at the University of Colorado saw him earn Second-Team All-American honors in 2022. Dilling’s career, sadly impacted by persistent back pain, ultimately prevented him from reaching his full potential at the highest echelons of the sport. His retirement is a poignant reminder of how physical challenges can curtail promising careers, underscoring the immense physical demands and toll of competitive alpine skiing. He concluded his career as a member of Global Racing at the U.S. Nationals in his hometown of Vail at the end of March.
Stalwarts of Speed and Technical Prowess
Beyond the headline-makers, the World Cup circuit relies heavily on a cadre of consistent performers who, through years of dedication, serve as the backbone of their national teams. Andreas Sander, Jared Goldberg, Marc Rochat, and Simon Maurberger exemplify this category, each contributing significantly to the depth and excitement of their respective disciplines.
Andreas Sander (GER, 1989)
At 36, Andreas Sander concludes a long and respectable career as a regular competitor in the high-stakes speed disciplines. Over his 15-plus years on tour, Sander earned one World Cup downhill podium and one World Cup super-G podium. He made his World Cup debut in Bormio in March 2008 in super-G, setting the stage for a career that would span nearly two decades.
Remarkably, both of Sander’s World Cup podiums occurred within the same unforgettable month, March 2023. He finished as the runner-up in the Aspen super-G before securing a third-place finish in the Soldeu downhill at the World Cup Finals, an extraordinary fortnight in his career. His most significant achievement, however, came on the global stage with a World Championship downhill silver medal in 2021 in Cortina, where he was agonizingly close, just one hundredth of a second behind Vincent Kriechmayr. This performance vividly demonstrated his exceptional ability to deliver under immense pressure on the sport’s biggest platform. Sander’s career is a testament to perseverance and the capacity for late-career surges, securing his place as a highly respected speed specialist.
Jared Goldberg (USA, 1991)
Jared Goldberg, at 34, steps away after a long and consistent career as a reliable presence in the U.S. speed program. With 194 World Cup starts to his name, he proudly represented the United States at two Olympic Winter Games (2014, 2018) and five World Championships, showcasing his enduring commitment to his national team.
Goldberg’s career highlight on the World Cup circuit was a second-place finish in Val Gardena in 2024, where he narrowly missed victory by an agonizing 0.01 seconds. This performance was among his seven career top-10 results, underscoring his capability to challenge for the podium. Known for his versatility, he proved adept across a wide range of demanding tracks – from the undulating terrain of Val Gardena to the raw power demands of Kvitfjell and the legendary challenges of Kitzbühel, where he achieved a remarkable fourth-place finish on the iconic Streif in 2023. A long-time member of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, Goldberg built his career on resilience, unwavering consistency, and the relentless pursuit of pushing his skiing to the absolute limit in the speed disciplines. His departure marks the loss of a valuable and experienced team player.
Marc Rochat (SUI, 1993, Nordica)
After over a decade navigating the rigorous World Cup circuit, Marc Rochat announced his retirement this spring, leaving a void in the competitive Swiss slalom squad. The Lausanne native has been a regular and consistent feature on the World Cup tour since his debut in December 2015, impressively scoring points in only his second World Cup start the following month.
Over his 105 World Cup starts, the 33-year-old accumulated 11 World Cup top-10 results, with his personal best being a fourth-place finish achieved at the 2023 Finals in Soldeu and again in Schladming in 2024. Rochat proudly represented Switzerland at two World Championships, notably securing a team combined bronze medal in 2025 in Saalbach. In what is widely regarded as one of the deepest and most competitive slalom fields on the World Cup tour, Rochat consistently maintained a strong presence, a testament to his technical skill and persistence. His career exemplifies the challenge of standing out in a highly competitive national team, yet achieving significant and consistent results.
Simon Maurberger (ITA, 1994)
At 31, Simon Maurberger retires after a decade primarily competing in the highly technical discipline of slalom. He made his World Cup debut in Sölden in 2014, embarking on a career characterized by persistence and a steady climb through the ranks. While he did not ultimately reach a World Cup podium, Maurberger achieved a significant milestone by qualifying for the World Cup Finals in slalom in 2020, effectively placing him among the top technical specialists in the world for that season.
The Italian scored five World Cup top-10 finishes in his career, four of which were in slalom, with a personal best of fifth place in the intensely competitive 2020 Schladming slalom. He represented Italy at two World Championships and was a part of the team that won a team event bronze medal in 2019 in Åre, Sweden. Maurberger built his career through sheer determination and persistence in one of the most challenging and competitive disciplines on the World Cup tour, earning respect for his unwavering commitment.
Rising Stars and Collegiate Paths: The Next Generation’s Foundation
The retiring class also includes a group of younger athletes or those whose careers, while perhaps not reaching World Cup podiums, played a crucial role in the development pathways of alpine skiing. Their stories highlight the varied routes to elite competition, including the Nor-Am circuit and NCAA collegiate racing, and underscore the dedication required at all levels.
Riley Seger (CAN, 1998)
At 28, Riley Seger announced his retirement, marking an early conclusion to a promising career. Seger made his World Cup debut in Sölden in the 2019 giant slalom, subsequently making his mark in speed events. He recorded a World Cup career-best 10th place in the 2023 Aspen super-G, one of four top-15 results he achieved during his World Cup tenure.
Seger represented Canada at the 2025 World Championships and fulfilled his dream of becoming an Olympian in 2026, competing in the super-G. In the 2021/22 season, Seger clinched the Nor-Am Cup giant slalom title, reflecting his significant versatility across both speed and technical disciplines. His collegiate career at Montana State University was outstanding, where he earned First-Team All-American honors in 2023 (3rd place in giant slalom at the NCAA Ski
