ÖSV-Adler Hayböck Unexpectedly Retires at Season’s End

Austrian ski jumper Michael Hayböck, a prominent member of the ÖSV-Adler, surprised fans with the announcement that he will retire at the end of the season. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, 04 February 2025, the 33‐year-old confirmed that he wants to end his career with a positive outlook, emphasizing his recent entry into fatherhood as a major factor in his decision to seek more family time and new challenges.

Hayböck has enjoyed a successful season so far, standing on the World Cup podium three times, including a first-place finish on 6 January 2015 at the finale of the Vierschanzentournee in Bischofshofen. His greatest achievement came at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where he won a silver medal in the team event alongside Gregor Schlierenzauer, Thomas Morgenstern, and Thomas Diethart.

Florian Liegl, the sporting director for ski jumping and Nordic combined in Austria, expressed hope that Hayböck will remain involved with the sport in some capacity. Hayböck’s retirement marks the end of an era for an athlete who consistently delivered strong performances on the international stage.