Swiss ski racer Joana Hählen, a 34-year-old specialist in speed events, has announced her retirement at the end of the 2025/26 season. The Bern native reflected on a career marked by perseverance through injuries and notable achievements in the World Cup. She expressed pride in her accomplishments while looking forward to new opportunities.
Joana Hählen, from Bern, Switzerland, has decided to retire from professional ski racing after the final races of the 2025/26 season. The 34-year-old made her World Cup debut in November 2013 in Beaver Creek and has since competed in 166 races, focusing on downhill and Super-G disciplines.
Her career highlights include five podium finishes—three second places and two third places—along with 27 top-10 results in downhill and Super-G. At the 2022 Winter Olympics, she earned a sixth-place finish in the downhill, securing an Olympic diploma.
Hählen's announcement follows a deliberate process influenced by past injuries. “My retirement wasn’t a spontaneous decision, but the end of a long process,” she said. “After my injury two years ago, I gave everything, mentally and physically, to push myself to the limit once again. But my mind and body weren’t always willing to take the risk. At the finish line in Soldeu, I knew: It’s the right time to stop. I gave it my all one last time, and I’m proud of that.”
Reflecting on 13 years in the World Cup, Hählen highlighted her resilience: "The five podium finishes remain unforgettable highlights. From four cruciate ligament tears, I learned how strong body and mind can be, and that often more is possible than you think."
She credited her team and support network for making the journey possible and enjoyable. Hählen, known as one of the fastest Swiss women in speed events, grew up in Lenk in the Simmental and has served as a brand ambassador for Lenk Bergbahnen and Lenk-Simmental Tourism since the 2022/2023 season.
Looking ahead, Hählen plans to enjoy her remaining races and spend time with loved ones. “I'm grateful that I've been able to turn my passion into my profession... Now I want to... be open to everything that life still has in store,” she added. Her retirement concludes a significant chapter in Swiss ski racing.
