Debuted at the World Championships last year and at the Olympics this year, now the Austrian skier is ending her skiing career.

The World Cup career is over after two seasons. The 27-year-old announced it herself. 

“My chapter as a professional cross-country skier is coming to an end,” Katharina Brudermann wrote on social media and added:

“I’m forever grateful for all the amazing people I’ve met along the way, the lifelong friendships and the unforgettable experiences. A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who was part of my journey!”

The Austrian has studied and lived in Meråker, Norway, for over ten years, ever since she arrived there on an exchange program. She also has her partner there. The village has produced numerous Olympic and World Champions, serving as the foundation for Brudermann’s career.

“If I hadn’t moved to Meråker, I wouldn’t be standing here today,” Brudermann told Trønder-Avisa after her Olympic debut.

Now she is retiring. 

Also Read: Austrian cross-country skiing teams for season 2026/2027

From World Cup debut to Olympics in one year

Brudermann competed in her first World Cup race a year and a half ago. It was in Lillehammer in December 2024. Since then, she has participated in 16 World Cup races, achieving a best individual placement of 20th. 

Last year, she competed in the World Championships in Trondheim, her first senior-level championship. Last winter, she participated in her first Olympics, just over a year after her World Cup debut. However, the Winter Olympic Games in Val di Fiemme will be her last. She is retiring now. 

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.