Maria Hoefl-Riesch: Olympic champion retires from skiing
Last updated on .From the section Winter Sports
Three-time Olympic champion Maria Hoefl-Riesch has retired from professional skiing.
The 29-year-old German won her second super combined gold medal at the Sochi Games as well as taking silver in the Super-G.
Hoefl-Riesch is also the 2014 World Cup downhill champion.
"The decision was not an easy one but I am of the opinion you should stop when you are at your best," she said.
"I gave everything I had for another Olympic medal, I worked hard to fulfil this dream again.
"It went well in the super combined in Sochi, and this was a big relief for me."
Hoefl-Riesch secured her maiden combined win at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, where she also added slalom gold.
She retires with 27 World Cup wins, the 2011 overall World Cup crown and four world championship bronze medals.
Despite her success at Sochi, Hoefl-Riesch has been plagued by injuries this season and a crash earlier this month denied her the chance of winning the World Cup overall title.
