TL;DR
Swiss skiing champion Lara Gut-Behrami has announced her plans to retire following the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, marking the end of an illustrious career in alpine skiing.
Swiss Ski Star Lara Gut-Behrami Announces 2026 Retirement Plan
Lara Gut-Behrami, the Swiss alpine skiing powerhouse, has revealed her intention to retire after the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo. The 34-year-old made this announcement during a sponsor event in Zurich, confirming that the upcoming Games will be her final competitive appearance. This decision aligns with her plans to move to London, where her husband, former footballer Valon Behrami, is set to take on a new role as sporting director at Watford Football Club.
Gut-Behrami's career has been marked by impressive achievements since her World Cup debut at 16 in 2007. She has claimed two overall World Cup titles in 2015-16 and 2023-24, accumulating 48 World Cup victories. This tally places her fifth on the all-time women's list, behind only Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn among active female skiers. Her Olympic medal collection includes a super-G gold and giant slalom bronze from the 2022 Beijing Games, as well as a downhill bronze from the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The 2021 World Championships in Cortina d'Ampezzo saw Gut-Behrami at her peak, securing gold in both super-G and giant slalom, along with a bronze in downhill.
As she prepares for her final competitive season, Gut-Behrami reflects on a career that has established her as one of the most versatile and consistent athletes in alpine skiing. The 2026 Cortina d'Ampezzo Games will mark her fourth Olympic appearance, a fitting finale to her time on the slopes. Looking ahead, Gut-Behrami has hinted at plans to start a family, signalling a new chapter in her life post-retirement. Her decision to conclude her skiing career coincides with a move to England, where she'll support her husband's new sporting venture while exploring opportunities beyond competitive skiing. As the countdown to her final races begins, the skiing community prepares to bid farewell to one of its most accomplished competitors.
