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At 52, Austria’s Claudia Riegler Exits PGS but Extends a Remarkable Olympic Run

Her run underscores how parallel giant slalom rewards experience, keeping veterans competitive.

Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics - Snowboard - Women's Parallel Giant Slalom Elimination Run - Livigno Snow Park, Livigno, Italy - February 08, 2026. Claudia Riegler of Austria in action REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics - Snowboard - Women's Parallel Giant Slalom 1/8 Finals - Livigno Snow Park, Livigno, Italy - February 08, 2026. Claudia Riegler of Austria in action during her Women's Parallel Giant Slalom 1/8 final against Ester Ledecka of Czech Republic REUTERS/Marko Djurica

Overview

  • Riegler qualified 16th of 36 and lost by 1.13 seconds to two-time defending champion Ester Ledecka in Livigno.
  • The race capped her fifth Winter Olympics, two decades after Austria initially dropped her at 30 for being "too old."
  • Ledecka was later upset in the quarterfinals by fellow Austrian Sabine Mayer, who went on to win silver.
  • Riegler said she is considering continuing to next year's world championships in Austria as a potential finale.
  • The event highlighted longevity in PGS, with 40-year-old Ben Karl winning men’s gold, 37-year-old Kim Sangkyum taking silver, and 45-year-old Roland Fischnaller competing.