TAUPLITZ, Austria -- Austrian ski jumper Wolfgang Loitzl has announced his retirement, six years after winning the Four Hills Tour with a jump that received maximum jury points.
The 35-year-old Loitzl says his recent lack of success "is a reason behind my decision. I am lacking the right spirit to continue."
At the final event of the prestigious competition in 2009, the Austrian became the fifth ski jumper in World Cup history to receive the maximum 20 points from all five jury members.
Loitzl was part of the Austrian team that won Olympic gold at the Vancouver Games the following year.
He made his World Cup debut in 1997 and needed 223 events before claiming his first of four wins in 2009. His other three wins followed within the next two weeks.
