The conclusion of the 2026 FIS World Cup season brings a bittersweet end to an era as several of alpine skiing's most recognizable names announce their retirement. According to reports from PlanetSKI, these departures represent the end of long-standing legacies that have defined the sport for nearly two decades.
For British fans, the most notable departure is Dave 'The Rocket' Ryding. Ryding leaves behind a monumental legacy, having transitioned from a humble dry-slope background to becoming his nation's first World Cup winner. A five-time Olympian with six podium finishes, Ryding’s career sets a high bar for British successors like Laurie Taylor and Billy Major.
The technical discipline also loses a titan in France’s Alexis Pinturault. Over a 17-year career, Pinturault secured 34 World Cup victories and three Olympic medals. His impact is perhaps best summarized by his peers, with contemporaries like Marco Odermatt and Lindsey Vonn acknowledging his status as one of the sport's all-time greats. Pinturault retires ranking ninth on the men's all-time winners list, boasting more giant slalom victories than Italian legend Alberto Tomba.
In the speed disciplines, the Slovenian standout Ilka Stuhec is moving on. Known for her fearless approach to the world's most daunting downhill tracks, Stuhec claimed double gold at the World Championships and dominated the 2016/17 season. Alongside her, other veterans are hanging up their skis, including Switzerland's Niels Hintermann and the long-serving duo of Romed Baumann and Adrien Theaux. Baumann, at 40, retires as the skier with the most downhill World Cup starts in history.
The retirement list extends across the international field, encompassing athletes like Greece's AJ Ginnis, Switzerland's Marc Rochat, and Canada’s Riley Seger. As these seasoned competitors step back, the FIS World Cup circuit prepares for a new chapter. While the loss of such experience is significant, it opens the door for emerging talent to claim their spots on the startlist and define the future of alpine racing.
