Max Franz retires after years of recovery from serious injuries

Austrian speed skier Max Franz has announced his retirement, ORF Kärnten reported on Sunday. The 37-year-old had struggled with serious leg injuries after a training crash in November 2022.

Franz said in a social media post that the crash at Copper Mountain left him with two broken legs and led to numerous operations. He said he had fought to return after many people believed his career was over, and made his comeback at the World Cup in Gröden more than three years later.

But he did not make a lasting return to competition. His only race appearance in December last year ended with him failing to finish.

The 2017 world championship downhill bronze medallist won three World Cup races and reached the podium 10 times. He said he was grateful for his career and thanked his family, doctors, coaches, physiotherapists, team, sponsors and fans.