“We set our own limits”

At the Livigno Snow Park on Sunday, Riegler reached the round of 16 in the giant parallel slalom, the snowboard event, before being eliminated by two-time Olympic champion Ester Ledecká, 22 years her junior and more than a second faster on the day.

Claudia Riegler, the oldest Winter Olympian in history

However, the 52-year-old athlete was not affected. For Riegler, it's not the victory that makes her the happiest, but simply sliding down the slope, cutting wide turns with the edge of the board.

“Today was so much fun,” she said, before pausing the interview for a moment, distracted by the audience's standing ovation, according to The Athletic.

Riegler made his World Cup debut in 1994 and won the Harley Davidson motorcycle in 1999 as a reward for a victory in the giant parallel slalom. At 30, a trainer told her she was “too old” and would never win another race. According to him, it was on a downward trajectory.

“I'll do it alone,” Claudia told herself then. For the past 22 years, she has worked alone. “We set our own limits. I can still compete with these young talents,” said Riegler, after the final race at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Riegler competes in a sport that is not for the faint of heart. The giant parallel slalom requires speed and precision as athletes descend side by side, slaloming through gates on two nearly identical courses.

Over the years, not much has changed, neither in her training nor in her nutrition. “I eat healthy, no McDonalds!” she said.

Claudia Riegler, big weightlifting fan

Although the mobility of her neck is slightly restricted, which prevents her from using barbells, she began to practice weightlifting using new, high-tech machines. “I'm a big fan!”

Her secret to staying motivated is listening to her body and trying new things. “If I had to do the same thing every day, I would get bored,” Claudia explained.

The last participation in the Olympic Games for Claudia Riegler

The Austrian, who finished second at the Yanqing World Cup in China in 2024, trained as a neuro-mental coach, focusing on restructuring thought patterns and mindset. “I take great care of my body, mind and soul,” she said.

I consider myself one of the girls. It keeps me young. Someone has to show what is possible. Lindsey (Vonn) shows it, Ester (Ledecká) shows it. We have to break these barriers”, said the athlete from Austria.

She still wants to compete at the world championships at home in Austria next year, but the Milano Cortina marked her last appearance at the Olympics.

The most important performances of Claudia Rigler

• 2015 World Championship gold (parallel giant slalom)

• Silver at the 2011 Worlds (parallel giant slalom)

• Bronze at the 2011 World Championships (parallel slalom)