Sigulda (RWH) 61 World Cup victories, eleven titles in the overall World Cup, 12 European Championship and six World Championship titles, plus Olympic silver medals in 2010 and 2014 - Martins Dukurs from Latvia is undisputedly the most successful skeleton athlete in the history of the sport. After 22 years of international racing, the 38-year-old athlete has now announced the end of his active career.
Since 2000, the name Dukurs - besides Martins also that of his older brother Tomass - has been an integral part of the starting lists in the Skeleton World Cup. Martins Dukurs celebrated his first victory in the race series in February 2008 in Winterberg (GER), 60 more were to follow in the next 14 years. The record winner also finished his last race in the Skeleton World Cup, in January 2022 in St. Moritz (SUI), in first place.
"I made a decision, full of emotions but logical," Martins Dukurs wrote on Instagram, thanking everyone who supported him during two decades of competitive sport. "I have experienced defeats, great victories, indescribable excitement and will definitely miss competing. But sometimes you have to quit to take on new challenges in life."
Photos: IBSF / Viesturs Lacis
