Josef Ferstl: “When the head is no longer willing to take full risks, it is time to draw a line in the sand” Image: AFP
“Time to draw a line in the sand,” says downhill skier Josef Ferstl. The two Super-G races in Garmisch-Partenkirchen will be his last in the World Cup.
After Thomas Dreßen, another German Kitzbühel winner is retiring from ski racing. Josef Ferstl will end his career after the two home races this weekend in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The 35-year-old announced this on Thursday in a statement from the German Ski Association (DSV). Ferstl won the Super-G on the Streif in January 2019 and celebrated the greatest success of his career. In total he won two World Cup victories.
After recent poor years, the athlete from SC Hammer in Upper Bavaria tried once again to reach the top of the world this season. “But when the head is no longer willing to take full risks, it is time to draw a line in the sand,” said Ferstl. In his ten races this winter, the veteran only made it into the top 30 twice.
Since 2007, the speed specialist has competed in 190 races in the World Cup, World Championships and Olympic Games. At the end of 2017 he won the Super-G in Val Gardena, then a year later in Kitzbühel. In the famous Tyrolean ski resort he achieved the then unique feat of winning a Super-G in the World Cup with start number 1. 40 years before his triumph, his father Josef senior had won the downhill on the Streif in Kitzbühel.
“Josef Ferstl, a fixture in the team, is ending his career,” said national coach Christian Schwaiger. “Despite many injuries, he always fought his way back to the top of the world and achieved many great successes for the German Ski Association.”
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Ferstl indicated that he would remain involved in skiing even after his active career ended. “I can’t help it, the passion and fascination for racing is just too great, that’s what my heart beats for. “So I will remain connected to this sport – in whatever form – for the rest of my life,” he said.