Benjamin Karl makes a U-turn: the Olympic PGS champion returns to snowboarding ahead of the home World Championships

A sensational U-turn, returning immediately to his old love, in fact without ever really leaving it, since he had regularly completed the 2025/26 season by winning in Val Saint-Côme and then taking second place in the overall World Cup standings at the Winterberg finals, behind only Maurizio Bormolini.

Benjamin Karl, who had eliminated the rider from Livigno (the dominant figure of the season, having won all three crystal globes and dreamed of taking the title on home snow) in the round of 16 of the Olympic PGS, before the Austrian ace went on to win it himself for a sensational second title four years after Beijing, at the age of 40, will be at the starting gate for the alpine snowboarding events in winter 2026/27; the announcement was made by the 1985-born native of Lower Austria himself, who had announced his retirement from snowboarding in March.

What was his ambition? To immerse himself in the world of cycling, as a huge enthusiast, somewhat like Emilien Jacquelin, although he has already gone on to compete among the professionals (and tomorrow the Olympic biathlon champion will start the Tour of Britain, a ProSeries event), with the long-term goal of taking part in the 2030 Alpes Olympic Games in cyclocross. With the discipline dominated over the last decade by Mathieu Van der Poel ruled out, Karl’s thoughts returned to his life as a snowboarder, with the added motivation of the home World Championships, as the global event will be held in Montafon in March 2027.

Already a five-time world champion in slalom and giant slalom, the Austrian star may be the first rival for the Italian powerhouse at that event, and probably in the fight for the World Cup as well. “Some completely unexpected things happened over the summer. In addition, the feeling grew stronger in me that I am simply a snowboarder who also enjoys cycling – said the two-time Olympic champion, revealing his “comeback” – It was a long and difficult journey to get from regional cup races to the top of the world rankings.

I have been snowboarding for 30 years, so many things have become automatic. But recent experiences have shown me that nothing can be taken for granted; I have learned to appreciate once again the enormous support I have received over all these years, and now I can’t wait to continue my career. With the home World Championships in Montafon next March, there is already another major event on the schedule”.

“In recent days I have had numerous conversations with Benji, during which I had the strong impression that he still has major ambitions as an alpine snowboarder – added Christian Galler, sports director of the discipline within the national federation – It is obviously positive to be able to count on an outstanding champion like him ahead of next season”.

Karl will join the first training sessions from mid-September, working at the Landgraaf skidome in the Netherlands with World Cup Group 1, which is currently completing its first summer snow camp.