The FIS Snowboard World Cup season 2016717 has come to a close and with it, some athletes have announced they are stepping back from professional snowboarding.

In total, three snowboard cross athletes called it quits already last November with the most famous being Dominique Maltais.

The two-time Olympic medallist (bronze Torino 2006 and silver Sochi 2014) can look back on a strong World Cup career. In 77 starts, the former firefighter was on the podium 38 times, of which 15 were wins.

The 36-year-old Canadian also earned five SBX World Cup titles as well as World Championships bronze (La Molina 2011) and silver (Stoneham 2013).

In addition, two male snowboard cross athletes retired.

Besides Andreas Fischle (GER) who took over an assistant coaching role for the German team after 16 World Cup starts, Austria's Michael Haemmerle decided to change his job. The 2009 junior world silver medallist competed 32 times on the World Cup tour and represented his nation at the World Championships twice.

Another Austrian to step back before the season started was Marion Kreiner. The 2009 world champion who also earned silver and bronze (2007 and 2015) hangs up her carving boots after 145 starts on the World Cup tour.

The Graz resident won five parallel races in her long and successful career, as well as two small crystal globes.

Another race boarder celebrated his final event in front of his home crowd during the last season. Rok Flander, the 2007 world champion waved his fans good-bye in Rogla (SLO) after suffering on-going back problems

The 2007 world champion started in 143 World Cup races, and was on the podium 13 times celebrating four wins.

Whilst also earning another bronze at the 2007 World Championships in Arosa, he also participated in three Olympics with a sixth place finish in the Sochi PGS being his best result.

The end of the winter season also brought retirements of two halfpipe riders.

Ben Kilner (GBR) has retired to become a personal trainer and Christian Haller (SUI) also stepped back. The two-time Olympian who claimed a bronze medal at the X Games (2011), finished on a World Cup podium twice in 39 World Cup starts while also competing at five FIS World Championships.

'Hitsch' now wants to concentrate on filming and his university studies.

Source: fis-ski.com