Angelina Salzgeber has announced her retirement from the Austrian Ski Federation, ending her career and not following in her parents’ footsteps.
The 21-year-old Austrian wanted to follow in her parents’ footsteps and celebrate great success.
Her mother, Anita Wachter, became Olympic champion in combined in 1988, and her father, Rainer Salzgeber, won World Championship silver in giant slalom in 1993. But that wish will now not come true.
The athlete posted a series of pictures on Instagram, including a childhood photo showing her and her sister Amanda in racing suits under the Christmas tree.
Salzgeber: “It breaks my heart”
“Okay, this breaks my heart… but the little angel would be proud of me,” Salzgeber wrote. “As a little girl, I dreamed of becoming just like my parents. Successful ski racers, with a passion that lit up every mountain they touched. Their dedication and their successes inspired me from the start.”
But: “After giving everything for this sport for years, I have decided to quit – not because I am weak, but because I am strong enough to start over. Often I am judged by my name instead of who I really am.”
Salzgeber most recently competed in the European Cup and at FIS level. She did not make the jump to the World Cup.