At the conclusion of an Olympic racing season, there are often more cross-country ski racers retiring than following regular season. Many skiers stretch their careers in order to try and squeeze just one more shot at making their country’s Olympic teams.  

Check out who’s reported that they are hanging up their boards this year.  

These Cross-Country Ski Racers Are Retiring at the conclusion of the 2021/22 season
Therese Johaug, Norway- 33

Baptiste Gros, France – 31
Adrien Backscheider, France – 29
Jean-Marc Gaillard, France – 41

Nadine Herrmann, Germany – 26

Elisa Brocard, Italia – 37

Evgeny Dementyev, Russia – 39

Charlotte Kalla, Sweden – 34

Dario Cologna, Switzerland – 36
Jovian Hediger, Switzerland – 31
Laurien van der Graff, Switzerland – 34
Ueli Schnider, Switzerland – 32

Katharine Ogden, USA – 24
Caitlin Patterson, USA – 32

Additionally, France’s Maurice Manificat, 35, as indicated that he sees the end of his career, but no official retirement announcement has been made. 

Italy’s legendary sprint star Federico Pellegrino said earlier this spring that he is considering retiring. Pellegrino has been training with the Russian national team head coach Markus Kramer the last year. Kramer’s contract with the Russian national team ended after the 2022 Olympics.

Kramer announced this weekend that he will not sign a new contract with the Russian national team, and Kramer has then been observed at the Italian national championships this week. 

Also on the coaching side, both coaches of the Norwegian national women’s team are retiring. Ole Morten Iversen and Ola Vigen Hattestad are stepping down from their positions at the conclusion of the Norwegian national championships. This leaves the elite women’s team essentially without formal coaches, and the Norwegian national team directors are currently accepting applications for their replacements.