Two-time Olympic gold medal-winning alpine skier Ted Ligety announced on social media Tuesday that he is retiring.
Ligety, 36, said he made the decision so he could spend more time with his family, which includes wife, Mia Pascoe, their 3-year-old son, Jax, and 7-month-old boys, Alec and Will. Ligety included a photo of his family with his lengthy post on Instagram.
Ligety said that his last race will be the World Championships on Feb. 19 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
“I’ve given everything I had to this sport and I am grateful for everything ski racing has given to me in return. I love this sport, and I’ve had so much fun racing World Cup for the last 17 years,” he wrote. “I’ve achieved every childhood dream of winning Olympic gold medals, World Championships golds, and World Cups, but it’s time to be with my family.”
“I’m going to miss the thrill and competition, but equally the relationships I’ve made over the years, from my coaches, teammates, competitors, Alex; my tech, and other friends I’ve met along the way from the years of traveling.”
Ligety won gold in the men’s combined event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. He also received top honors in the giant slalom race at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
–Field Level Media