Ander Mirambell closes a legendary skeleton career in Barcelona
Ander Mirambell brought his racing journey to a close at a significant gathering hosted at the Carpe Diem restaurant beside Barceloneta Beach in Barcelona. The Catalan athlete hangs up his helmet after a remarkable run that began in 2005 with a dream of reaching the Games on a distant shore, Calella, and culminated seventeen years later after taking part in four Olympic Games. Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014, Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022 mark the Olympic milestones, alongside eleven world championship appearances, two Copa América titles, and the Spanish championship in the discipline he helped shape. In his new professional chapter, Mirambell will lead Belgian pilot Kim Meylemans and mentor the sport’s emerging talents as Athletic Director of the Royal Ice Sports Federation in Spain.
Mirambell stands as a pioneer for skeleton in Spain, a sport that began to form its identity within the Royal Spanish Ice Sports Federation. The early, almost exotic section of the Calella Athletics club started as a dream, tied to the now-classic image of cross-country skiing gear and improvised equipment. Mirambell often recalls those humble beginnings during his farewell, highlighting a tenacious will to become an Olympian that propelled him from modest origins to a role model who competed against teams with much larger budgets. Through years of dedication he established himself as a benchmark for the discipline and a source of inspiration for new generations. The narrative spans seventeen years of achievements: four Olympic appearances, two America’s Cups making him the first European to secure such wins, and a top-five ranking in IBSF events. He also set a historical speed record on the track, reaching 139.9 km/h in St. Moritz, a place revered as the skeleton cathedral. Beyond statistics, his legacy includes the IOC’s decision to display the Beijing 2022 helmet at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, underscoring his enduring impact on the sport.
During the afternoon ceremony, Mirambell spoke with emotion, surrounded by family, friends, and members of the media. He framed the moment not as a farewell to memories but as a chance to acknowledge everyone who helped him achieve his results. He likened his exit to a runner crossing a finish line, embracing his family and looking toward the next horizon. While he would have preferred to say goodbye at his favorite track, Saint Moritz, he explained that his personal future and the development of skeleton in Spain require stepping away from the sled for now.
Looking ahead, Mirambell outlined a clear plan for transition. He will pause his athletic career to lead the sport as Athletic Director and coach within the Royal Spanish Federation of Ice Sports. The initial steps involve recruiting new athletes in Madrid on Friday, May 20, and Barcelona the following day, with registrations open at the federation’s address. In addition to this new role, he will partner with the Belgian pilot technician, Kim Meylemanns, to advance the sport further. Mirambell has also entered his candidacy for the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation’s Sports Vice President, a position to be decided in July in Lausanne, Switzerland. His deep understanding of the sport and his proven track record are expected to contribute to both skeleton and related modalities.
In his closing remarks, Mirambell offered heartfelt thanks to the professionals who supported him along the path. He expressed gratitude to his longtime physical trainer, Bernat Buscà, the Sant Cugat training staff, and coaches including Ueli, Mickey, Martin Rettl, and Richard Bromley. He also acknowledged rivals and teammates who became part of his extended family each season, the IBSF professionals, and the organizations that sustain the sport, such as REDFH, CSD, and COE. He reserved special thanks for family, whose support made everything possible, and for the journalists and colleagues who chronicled his journey. His message was one of gratitude for the community that carried him through the years, with a promise to remain connected to the sport that defined his life (source acknowledgments from federation and event organizers).