OUT OF THE GATE
Anja Paerson Slides
into Retirement
After 14 years on the World Cup, the Swedish star is ready for
new challenges By Eric Williams
Anja Paerson’s Swedish teammates join her for one last penguin slide at Schladming.
With one last triumphant penguin
slide, Swedish World Cup veteran Anja
Paerson bid farväl to the White Circus
at the World Cup Finals in Schladming,
Austria.
The 42-time World Cup winner finally
yielded to long-term damage in her
knee, calling it a day with her 381st
World Cup start in the Schladming su-
per G, in which she recorded her top
result of the season in eighth place.
“It’s a little upside down right now,
emotionally,” said Paerson, who spent
14 years competing on the World Cup,
after her run. “I am equally glad that
I’m sorry.”
In the finish area, Paerson was greeted
by raucous applause from thousands
of fans. The 30-year-old was mobbed
by Champagne-spraying teammates,
who joined Paerson in her iconic belly-
flop in the slushy snow.
Paerson said she decided to an-
nounce her retirement at the begin-
ning of World Cup Finals to have time
during the week to say goodbye and
thank her fellow racers, coaches, fans
and media.
“My career has been great and I’ve
achieved more than I could ever dream
of,” said Paerson, who owns six Olym-
pic medals, including a gold in the sla-
lom at the 2006 Games. “I have always
been a fighter, and this is a tough deci-
sion, but after some thought and many
discussions with myself, I feel that I am
ready for new challenges in my life.”
Paerson first kicked out of a World Cup
start gate at just 17 years old in 1998.
She claimed her first of 95 World Cup
podiums — a win, no less — just nine
months later and went on to claim two
overall titles and four discipline titles.
The 11-time world championships
medalist and FIS Athletes Commission
member said she plans to stay active
in the sport to ensure it gives as much
to younger racers as it has given to
her.
“Anja is someone I’ve always respect-
ed,” said Lindsey Vonn. “She won a
World Cup in only her second year of
racing, then stayed one of the best ski-
ers in the world her entire career. But
beyond what she’s done as an athlete,
she’s been driving the women’s World
Cup forward as a significant member
of the athletes’ council. I’ll miss her on
the tour, but know she’ll stay close to
the sport.”
GEPA
