Big news in Ski Jumping: Another German World Champion retires!

Big news in Ski Jumping: Another German World Champion retires!

A significant announcement in the German ski jumping scene: Following Markus Eisenbichler's recent retirement declaration, another notable athlete is stepping down from competition. Stephan Leyhe confirmed that he will participate in the upcoming World Cup event in Lahti, marking his final professional jump.

Leyhe reflected on his lengthy career, stating, "Now is simply the right time for me to hang up my skis and end my career." He looked back on his 25 years in ski jumping with great joy, highlighting the many emotional and thrilling moments he experienced, along with the successes he celebrated with his teammates.

In Lahti, Leyhe will compete in his 240th World Cup event, and throughout his career, he has made it to the podium several times, securing six individual podium finishes, including a victory at his home World Cup in Willingen in 2020.

His major achievements include winning a silver medal with his team at the 2018 Olympics and capturing a bronze medal four years later. Leyhe was also part of the team that claimed the world champion title during the Nordic Ski World Championships in 2019 alongside Eisenbichler.

Moreover, as his long-time teammate Eisenbichler commented on Leyhe's retirement announcement saying, "Not you as well." This reflects the camaraderie and mutual respect within the team, which Leyhe will leave behind as he embarks on a new chapter after a remarkable career.