Former Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn has announced she will retire from skiing after competing at the World Championships in Sweden.
The 34-year-old American, who won downhill gold at the 2010 Games in Whistler as well as Super-G bronze, has been battling to overcome a left knee injury.
Vonn, twice a world champion and who holds some 82 World Cup victories, revealed she had been through "some of the most emotionally challenging days of my life", facing up to "the reality of what my body is telling me versus what my mind and heart believe I'm capable of."
The American suffered disappointment in the Super-G and combined events, but did collect another bronze from the downhill.
The 34-year-old, second only to Sweden's Ingemar Stenmark's 86 World Cup wins, had revealed her intention to make 2019 a last competitive season.
However, she was again hit by an injury setback while training at Copper Mountain in Colorado which resulted in three fractures as well as lateral collateral ligament damage in her left knee.
Vonn admitted she had "pushed the limits of ski racing" during her medal-laden career, which also had its share of "dramatic crashes" and revealed she had surgery during the Spring of 2018 to remove a large portion of cartilage that had delaminated from her bone.
The American said her body was "broken beyond repair and it isn't letting me have the final season I dreamed of."
Von added: "My body is screaming at me to STOP and it's time for me to listen.... but even knowing what lies ahead for my body, it has still been worth it.
"Please let my story be of comebacks, victories and even injuries, but do not tell my story as one of failures or unreached goals.
"Thank you for the amazing years, for supporting me through thick and thin, and for making my job so fun.
"Can't wait to see some of you in the finish in Are where I will give it my all one last time."
