Hubertus of Hohenlohe Bids Farewell to Ski Racing Career After 20 Years



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Hubertus of Hohenlohe Bids Farewell to Ski Racing Career After 20 Years

The World Ski Championship in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy saw the end of an era yesterday as the 64-year-old Mexican skier, Hubertus of Hohenlohe, competed in his last race after a remarkable 20-year run in the competition.

Hohenlohe's appearance at the championship marked his 20th anniversary, a rare feat in the world of skiing. Despite his impressive record, Hohenlohe failed to finish the first run of the giant slalom competition, drawing the curtains on his career as a ski racer.

Hohenlohe's Long and Distinguished Career

Born in Mexico to a family with roots in northeastern Baden-Württemberg, Germany, Hohenlohe made his debut at the World Ski Championship in 1982 and only missed one appearance in 2007 due to injury when he was 48 years old.

Over the years, he competed six times at the Olympic Games, with his debut at Sarajevo in 1984. Hohenlohe's best finish in the world's most competitive skiing events was 26th place in the slalom in 1982 and 1985.

An Unconventional Skier

Hohenlohe's unique style and unconventional approach to ski racing made him stand out among his peers.

His interests outside skiing, including pop singing, often overshadowed his skiing career, and he was more well-known in Mexico for his music than for his skiing achievements. In an interview after his final race, Hohenlohe attributed his lack of success in the championship to spending too much time soaking in the sun and not enough time in the gym.

“I’d say that was the last one,” he told Eurosport, “I probably spent too much time in the sun in Marbella in the summer and didn’t do enough in the gym”. „Technically it would have been okay, but at some point I really ran out of steam.

Every swing was icy, every swing was difficult. It never let up, you never felt like you could rest a bit. If I had wanted very, very much, I might have made it, but it was just super, super exhausting.“ „...but at least I didn’t have another net roll like in Cortina.

That was a bit embarrassing. My wife thinks I’m completely crazy. She’s always afraid something will happen to me. You have to feel what your body is saying and then decide,” he added. Reflecting on his career, Hohenlohe expressed his gratitude for the opportunities that ski racing had given him, saying, "It's been a privilege to be able to represent Mexico, to represent skiing and to represent my family.

It's been a beautiful journey." As one of the oldest ski racers in the world, Hohenlohe has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the sport, inspiring generations of skiers with his perseverance and unconventional approach. As he takes his final bow, the skiing world bids farewell to a true icon.