Olympic ski legend Lindsey Vonn to retire at end of season aged 33
American is four World Cup wins away from breaking Ingemar Stenmark's record but insists 2018-19 season will be her last
OLYMPIC ski legend Lindsey Vonn has announced plans to retire at the end of the season.
Vonn is four World Cup wins away from breaking Ingemar Stenmark's World Cup record.
The American, 33, is now ready to quit the sport despite previously targeting the all-time No1 spot.
She told : "If I get it [the record], that would be a dream come true.
“If I don’t, I think I’ve had an incredibly successful career no matter what. I’m still the all-time winningest female skier.”
Vonn - who won downhill Winter Olympic gold at the 2010 Games in Vancouver - has been plagued by injuries during her career.
A knee KO kept her from competing at the 2014 Games and defending her gold medal.
She does not want to risk any suffering any more problems which could affect her retirement.
Vonn said: "Physically, I’ve gotten to the point where it doesn’t make sense.
“I really would like to be active when I’m older, so I have to look to the future and not just be so focused on what’s in front of me.”
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Vonn - who briefly dated Tiger Woods in 2013 - has 82 victories in total including 43 downhill and 28 Super-G wins.
Despite the threat she poses to rivals, Olympic downhill champion Sofia Goggia begged Vonn to reconsider her retirement.
But she simply told the Italian "I would if I physically could".
Vonn - who has also worked as a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model - is hoping to end her skiing career on a high by entering every downhill and Super-G race of the 2018-19 season.
Her season begins at Lake Louise, Canada, on November 9.