Sabine Payer ends her career as a snowboarder

Winning the silver medal in parallel giant slalom at the 2026 Winter Games in Italy was the crowning achievement of the 33-year-old's career. It was also the first Olympic medal in the discipline for Austria in this cycle. The Games in Milan and Cortina thus personally also served as a reconciling end to a long career.

The Olympic farewell

Payer leaves behind an extraordinary record in the World Cup history of alpine snowboarding. A total of 21 World Cup victories go on her account, 13 of them in individual disciplines. In addition, there are 49 podium places – a figure that places her in the ranks of the sport's most defining athletes.

The record of an exceptional career

In addition to her World Cup successes, three medals at World Championships also feature in her CV. This haul makes her the most successful domestic alpine snowboarder ever to have competed in a World Cup season. Across disciplines, she was a permanent fixture in the ÖSV team.

The 16-year journey through the World Cup brought injuries, comebacks and changing team constellations. Payer experienced highs and lows, but remained at a top level almost continuously. Her constant drive was said to have been the joy of the sport, according to those close to her.

With her retirement, the Austrian snowboard team loses a central pillar. The association honored her achievements and announced that it intended to close the gap in the squad with young talents. Names of potential successors were not initially given.

Consequences for the ÖSV

Payer herself looks back on a time she described as „genial". She thanked those who accompanied her on her journey, the support staff and her family. She did not name any concrete plans for the time after competitive sport.

Her brother Alexander Payer, who was also active in the snowboard circus, publicly congratulated her on the decision. In a brief statement, he described the end of her career as „überfällig, aber verdient".

The ÖSV leadership announced that it would give Payer a fitting farewell as part of an event. A date had not yet been set, according to association circles. They wanted to provide the athlete with a dignified setting.

In the coming weeks, Payer is expected to concretize her sporting plans for the future. Whether she will remain involved in snowboard sport in another function – for example as a coach or ambassador – she initially left open.

The 2026/27 snowboard season will thus begin without the long-time Austrian figurehead. For the young generation in the ÖSV, this also represents an opportunity to grow into new roles.