Tina Weirather: Life After the Career, Class Is Permanent – Where the Ski Legend Is Today

When you think of the most defining figures in alpine skiing over the last decade, a few names come to mind immediately. Tina Weirather is right up there. Even though we no longer see her in the start hut for the speed events, this Liechtenstein native with Swiss roots has stayed connected to the sport. Every time a classic race rolls around in St. Moritz or Wengen, a thought crosses your mind: man, she used to cruise down that slope with such authority.

The news of her retirement in early 2020 hit like a thunderbolt. But honestly, anyone who followed her career knew that, after all those hard landings and injuries, her body was sending a clear signal. Tina was never the type to fight for a start at any cost—she was the one who skied with an almost infuriating coolness when it mattered most. Her style was that elegant, smooth glide that made the toughest piste look like a fluffy carpet.

For a young Tina Weirather, the daughter of Hanni Wenzel and Harti Weirather, the pressure was naturally immense. But she didn’t just carry the name; she gave it a whole new meaning. Winning the small Crystal Globe in Super-G in 2018 was the crowning achievement of a season where she was simply untouchable. Anyone who watched the races in Lake Louise knows: that was her personal happy place. There, she proved she was more than just the “Princess” from the principality—she was a fierce competitor at the World Cup level.

Her World Cup achievements read like a who’s who of the speed elite:

• World Cup Discipline Title in Super-G (2017/18 season) – the small Crystal Globe for absolute consistency throughout the season.
• Seven World Cup victories in the speed disciplines, including several on the classic tracks in North America and Europe.
• Five additional podium finishes at World Championships and Olympic Games, including 4th place in Pyeongchang 2018 – a result any racer knows: so close yet so far, but a testament to her class.

What is Tina Weirather doing now? After retirement, she didn’t just fade into the white noise of sports history. She consciously stepped back to give her body and mind a break. Together with her husband, Swiss ski racer Andreas Sander, she now splits her time between Vorarlberg in Austria and her home in the Rhine Valley. If you meet her today, you sense this calm. She enjoys living life without a race bib, occasionally appears as an expert on TV, and yes, she’s passing on the joy of snow to her little one. No performance pressure, just pure fun.

For us in Switzerland and neighbouring Liechtenstein, Tina Weirather remains one of the most charismatic athletes we’ve ever had. That mix of laid-back ease and iron will was what set her apart. And that’s exactly why it’s great to still spot her on the slopes every now and then—no longer in a racing suit with a timer, but with her family, a smile on her face. It’s the perfect proof: you can end your career without losing your passion.

When you think of Tina Weirather, an old saying comes to mind: old love never rusts. For the Swiss and Liechtenstein ski community, she’s not just a former racer. She’s one of us. As long as there are World Cup races in Switzerland, there will be moments that spark a connection—and we’ll remember the time when Tina stood on top of the podium, lifting that Crystal Globe with her inimitable smile. That’s what I call class that endures.