Lara Gut-Behrami, the 34-year-old Swiss alpine skier, has announced that the upcoming World Cup season will be her last. At an event organized by 'Finanz und Wirtschaft' on Tuesday evening, Gut-Behrami revealed that she would be quitting ski racing after the Olympic season and moving to London with her husband Valon Behrami.
What happened?
Gut-Behrami's decision to retire from ski racing comes as no surprise, given her impressive career spanning over a decade. With 48 World Cup wins and six crystal globes in the super-G discipline, she is considered one of the greatest figures in the sport.
Why it matters for Lara Gut-Behrami
Gut-Behrami's retirement will leave a gap in the skiing world, not just in Switzerland but also globally. Austrian skiing legend Alexandra Meissnitzer praised Gut-Behrami as an exceptional athlete and a role model off the piste. Meissnitzer, who won two World Championship gold medals and 14 World Cup races during her career, told the 'Kronen-Zeitung' newspaper: "She is one of the very best at reading the course and always chooses a top strategy for the race. Lara is an exceptional athlete. I will miss her."
What comes next?
Gut-Behrami's husband, Valon Behrami, will become the technical director at his former club FC Watford, according to information from blue Sport. The couple will move to London, marking a new chapter in their lives.
Gut-Behrami's legacy in the skiing world is undeniable. She is the first female ski racer to achieve 10 or more World Cup victories in three different disciplines (super-G, downhill, giant slalom). With 100 podium places, she is only just behind Vreni Schneider (101) in the all-time best list and could potentially overtake the most successful Swiss woman in this category.
As Gut-Behrami prepares for her final World Cup season, fans and fellow athletes alike will be watching her every move. Her retirement will undoubtedly leave a void in the skiing world, but her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of skiers.
A lasting impact
Gut-Behrami's impact on the skiing world extends beyond her impressive career statistics. She has been a role model for many young skiers, and her dedication to the sport has inspired countless fans. As she prepares to hang up her skis, Gut-Behrami can look back on a career that has left an indelible mark on the world of alpine skiing.
Gut-Behrami's final World Cup season is set to begin at the end of October. As she takes to the slopes for the last time, fans will be eagerly watching to see if she can add to her impressive tally of wins and podium places. One thing is certain, however: Lara Gut-Behrami will be deeply missed in the skiing world.