Paul Stutz, the Banff-born ski racer who blazed a path for independent alpine athletes, has retired.
Stutz officially announced the end of his career at Alpine Ski Nationals in Whistler, although the topic has been on his mind for over a year. Stutz wanted to take one last crack at the Olympics before hanging up his skis.
“I couldn’t be happier. I’m very confident in this decision and lucky to move on on my own terms,” he said. “
As one of Canada’s best slalom specialists, Stutz first cracked the world cup in 2004 and had a career-best seventh-place finish in Kitzbuhel, Austria to go along with four Canadian national titles. He left the Canadian national team and has raced as an independent athlete where he had his best results. The path was costly, but the 30-year-old said he always had great support from the Banff community and sponsors.
“To be able to represent Canada on the world cup for as many years as I did and inspire the next generation is the biggest thing I’ve taken out of this,” Stutz said. “Definitely my route was unconventional, but probably the best thing I ever did. The accountability I had to myself made the success feel greater.”
In 2014, he ended the season ranked 31st in the world. Unable to qualify for the Olympics and feeling the effects of a long ski career on his body, he flew his fiancée Alison Bell overseas for his last international start and skied freely and without pressure.
“That last world cup was more emotional. It was really nice to push out of the gate and not have all of that weight of expectations on my shoulders. Knowing this was it, I could just ski for me,” Stutz said.
He and Alison will get married in August and Stutz has already begun to pursue his Alberta Real Estate Association certification. Not one to rest on his laurels, he also hinted at a potential run in politics, following in his father’s footsteps.
“It’s something that’s in my blood,” Stutz said with a laugh. “I’m really excited about education and want to start using my brain again.”
Never afraid to speak his mind, he’d like to see a few changes to his now-former sport.
“We have to continue to follow our programs to the top to be athlete-focused and support athletes in all facets, especially financially, mentally and physically,” Stutz said. “Despite the tremendous support I’ve received, we live in a country that doesn’t make it easy financially to be an athlete.”
He’s thankful for everyone who has helped him along the way and said he wants to continue the chain of strong ski racers emerging from Banff.
“I am so grateful and humble. Banff is truly an amazing spot and we definitely take care of our athletes,” Stutz said. “I have no regrets and recommend it to any up and coming athletes.”
