Markus Eisenbichler has officially announced his retirement from competitive ski jumping, marking the end of an illustrious 20-year career with the German national team. The 33-year-old athlete, who is considered one of Germany's top ski jumpers, revealed this decision on March 12, 2025, through his social media channels and during interviews, expressing heartfelt emotions about his upcoming departure.
"Skispringen war mein Leben – mit Höhen und Tiefen, mit Emotionen, die kaum in Worte zu fassen sind. Ich habe meinen Traum gelebt und bin unendlich dankbar. Aber ich freue mich auch auf das, was kommt: neue Herausforderungen, neue Erlebnisse und endlich Zeit für Dinge, die bisher etwas zu kurz gekommen sind," Eisenbichler stated, reflecting on his time as a competitive athlete. His last competition will take place during the World Cup final held from March 28 to 30, 2025, at Planica, Slovenia, where he hopes to conclude his career on a high note.
Throughout his impressive career, Eisenbichler has achieved remarkable milestones, including six World Championship titles, which make him the record holder for the most World Championship medals ever achieved by a German ski jumper. Among these victories, he famously won gold during the individual competition at the 2019 World Championships held in Seefeld, Austria, where he also secured gold medals as part of the team and mixed team events.
Another significant achievement came when Eisenbichler and the German men's ski jumping team clinched the bronze medal at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. His success at international competitions has firmly placed him within the upper echelons of the sport. He has also established and holds the German ski flying record with an extraordinary jump of 248 meters, achieved at Planica.
Despite his numerous accolades, the later years of Eisenbichler's career were fraught with challenges. Struggles during recent seasons included health difficulties, including knee problems, and performance dips which led to his temporary removal from the World Cup squad. He revealed the emotional toll of these setbacks, stating how they made him question his commitment to the sport: "Letztes Jahr habe ich mir auch gedacht, als es richtig scheiße lief: 'Warum tue ich mir das eigentlich noch an?" he shared during the BR24Sport-Podcast "Pizza & Pommes."
Even with these challenges, Eisenbichler's passion for ski jumping has remained strong. His enduring love for the sport shines through even amid hardships, illustrating the depth of his devotion. "Wenn man in einem Tal steckt, muss man lächeln und winken und schauen, dass man wieder besser wird," he reflected, highlighting his resilient mindset.
DSV director Horst Hüttel expressed gratitude for Eisenbichler’s contributions to ski jumping, stating, "Mit Markus Eisenbichler verlässt einer der ganz großen Skispringer die Weltcup-Bühne. Der DSV ist Markus für seine vielen Jahre an Leidenschaft, Energie, und Erfolgen sehr dankbar." This sentiment speaks volumes about Eisenbichler’s impact on German ski jumping and his relationships within the sport community.
Looking forward, Eisenbichler has not ruled out the possibility of remaining within the ski jumping world from the other side of the competition as he considers coaching roles. Rumors about his future endeavors suggest he could transition from athlete to coach, continuing to contribute his knowledge and experience to future generations.
The World Cup final at Planica holds special significance for Eisenbichler, who considers it to be the ideal venue for concluding his career, as it is the place where he celebrated both his first World Cup victory and set the German record. His anticipation reflects the emotional weight of this decision as he prepares for his final farewell from the sport he has dearly cherished for many years.
Eisenbichler’s departure from the World Cup stage is not merely the end of his personal career but the closing chapter of an era marked by significant achievements, emotional victories, and deep connections to the sport. The ski jumping world will no doubt miss his presence, and fans are hopeful to see him flourish in whatever new projects he pursues.