Ski jumping: “It was the ideal moment to bring my career to an end with complete peace of mind”, says Michael Hayboeck
At a press conference in Salzburg (Austria) on Tuesday , Michael Hayboeck announced that the current World Cup season would be his last. The Austrian ski jumper wishes above all to devote himself to his family. He became a father for the first time last October.
“The decision to call it a day is obviously not one you can take overnight. Over the last few months, I’ve had a growing feeling that after this season, it was the ideal time to bring my career to a peaceful close. I want to have time for my family,” he says in a Ski Austria press release.
A decision welcomed and understood by Andreas Widhoelzl, the Austrian team’s head coach.
“I’m very grateful to have been able to accompany Michi over the last five years, he says. He has had a long and successful career with many highlights and has always shown his talent, diligence and intelligence. Professional sport leaves little time for family. So I wish him all the best in his sporting retirement.”
The 33-year-old jumper, who has won nine medals at major events – including team silver at the Sochi Olympics (2014) with Gregor Schlierenzauer, Thomas Morgenstern and Thomas Diethart – will leave a very fond memory with the Austrian federation, as Florian Liegl, the sporting director of ski jumping and Nordic combined, describes it.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Michi on his sensational career. Both in sporting and human terms, he has always been an absolutely great guy during this period. On behalf of the federation, I wish him all the best for the future and congratulate him on his great achievements in the sport.”
Over the course of his career, Michael Hayboeck has finished on the podium twenty-six times in World Cup competition, including five times on the highest step. This season, he is still performing well, with three podium finishes, including most recently on the Oberstdorf ski jump (Germany).
