Gruenwald Announces End of Career

After nine years with the Austrian national team, Julia Gruenwald decided to end her career at the beginning of May.

“During the past season, I’ve seen how difficult it is to train at the highest level and race with my continued knee problem,” she said. “The cartilage fracture suffered in the right knee two years ago still causes me difficulties today. The problem is that the cartilage does not regenerate. That’s why I decided to end my career as an active ski racer. I would like to especially thank the many years with my family, all my supporters and supporters, my ski company Atomic and my head sponsor Raiffeisen and of course the OESV, which enabled me to live my sport dream.”

Gruenwald started in 99 Europa Cup races, was on the podium seven times, and won one race. On the World Cup, she never reached the podium in 29 World Cup slalom starts, which was her specialty, but showed skills with a 10th-place finish at the home World Cup at Flachau in 2016. In 2017, Gruenwald secured the Austrian Championship title in slalom.

Personal education and training was also important for Gruenwald during her active career. In October 2016, she started her studies of business administration while working extra-occupational. After her retirement, she will continue her studies, which she expects to finish in mid-2019.

Release courtesy of the Austrian Ski Federation