Swiss alpine ski racing star Lara Gut-Behrami has confirmed that the Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026 games will mark the end of her competitive career. The announcement, though not unexpected given her lengthy and decorated time in the sport, adds emotional weight to what promises to be a historic and poignant final Olympic appearance. For Gut-Behrami, who has been a defining force in women's Winter Olympic alpine skiing for more than 15 years, the decision closes the chapter on one of the most dynamic careers in the modern era of the sport.
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A Career Defined by Resilience and Glory
Lara Gut-Behrami burst onto the international scene as a teenage prodigy, earning her first World Cup podium at age 17 and securing her place as Switzerland's next great skiing hope. Her early promise materialized into sustained success, including a World Cup overall title, multiple discipline globes, and a coveted Olympic gold medal in super-G at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
Over the years, Gut-Behrami has become known not just for her technical mastery in speed events but also for her ability to overcome adversity. Serious injuries, including knee surgeries and recurring back issues, threatened to derail her career more than once. Yet each time, she returned to the circuit stronger, her grit and mental toughness shining through.
In a recent interview, she reflected on the longevity of her career. Skiing has given me everything—joy, challenge, heartbreak, and triumph. But I know the time is coming to say goodbye. Milano Cortina feels like the perfect place to do that. You Can Read Winter Olympic 2026: Lindsey Vonn praised by Paris gymnast as Olympic Alpine Skiing icon
Looking Ahead to Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026
The Winter Olympic 2026, co-hosted by Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, hold symbolic meaning for Gut-Behrami. Cortina is where she earned multiple World Championship medals in 2021, including gold in both the super-G and giant slalom. The Italian Alps, with their historical ties to classic alpine racing, will serve as a fitting backdrop for her final Olympic curtain call.
Gut-Behrami has made it clear that her focus between now and Winter Olympic 2026 will be entirely on performance. I want to go out on my own terms, skiing at a level I can be proud of, she said. This isn't just a farewell tour. I want to compete—and win.
While retirement is on the horizon, her ambition remains intact. She continues to train with intensity and will target both the 2025 World Championships in Saalbach and the final World Cup seasons leading into the Olympics as major opportunities to add to her medal haul.
An Olympic Journey Marked by Resilience and Excellence
Gut-Behrami's Olympic résumé is already among the most impressive of her generation. She made her Olympic debut at Vancouver 2010 and has since competed in every Winter Olympic Games. After an injury kept her out of the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, her comeback in Beijing 2022 was one of the standout storylines. Her super-G gold and bronze in giant slalom served as a triumphant validation of her resilience.
Her potential final appearance in Milano Cortina will make her one of the few athletes to span four Olympic Games—a rare feat in Winter Olympic alpine skiing, where the physical toll often shortens careers. More importantly, her consistent excellence across those Games has left a lasting imprint on Swiss and international sport.
A National Icon and Role Model in Swiss Winter Olympic Alpine Skiing
In Switzerland, Gut-Behrami is not just a champion but a national icon. Her achievements have helped restore Switzerland's dominance in women's Winter Olympic alpine skiing, following the footsteps of legends like Vreni Schneider and Michela Figini. But beyond her wins, Gut-Behrami's candor, elegance, and professionalism have made her a respected ambassador for the sport.
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She has often spoken openly about the mental and emotional demands of elite competition. Her willingness to address pressure, identity, and life outside of racing has resonated with fans and aspiring athletes alike. She's been an incredible role model, not just because of what she's won, but how she's handled the journey, said Swiss Ski team director Walter Reusser. Lara has carried herself with dignity and strength, and that will be her greatest legacy.
What Retirement Could Mean for the Sport
Gut-Behrami's departure will leave a significant gap in the women's World Cup circuit. She has been one of the tour's most consistent performers, often pushing younger athletes to raise their level. Her rivalry with Italy's Federica Brignone, Slovakia's Petra Vlhová, and the rising new generation—including Mikaela Shiffrin—has fueled some of the most memorable races in recent years.
While her absence will be deeply felt, it may also open the door for other Swiss skiers to step into the spotlight. Lara's success has already inspired a pipeline of talent, and her eventual transition into a mentorship or leadership role within the Swiss Ski Federation seems likely.
There is speculation that she may stay connected to the sport as a coach, television analyst, or even an athlete representative in Olympic or FIS organizations. When asked about her post-retirement plans, Gut-Behrami was measured but hopeful. I love skiing too much to walk away entirely, she said. “But I also know I need space to explore other parts of life—whether that's mentoring young athletes, spending time with family, or just breathing for the first time in a long while.
A Farewell Tour Fueled by Excellence in Winter Olympic Alpine Skiing
Between now and 2026, Gut-Behrami will remain a fixture on the World Cup circuit. Her decision to announce retirement plans early offers a unique opportunity for fans, fellow athletes, and organizers to celebrate her career in real time. It also adds emotional resonance to every podium, every finish line, and every moment she shares with her supporters.
Skiing fans can expect a farewell tour not of nostalgia, but of continued excellence. If recent seasons are any indication, Gut-Behrami is still capable of winning at the highest level. Her form in both super-G and GS remains sharp, and her experience could prove decisive on technically demanding courses like those expected in Cortina.
The End of an Era in Winter Olympic Alpine Skiing
As the clock ticks toward Milano Cortina, the reality of Gut-Behrami's impending retirement signals the end of an era. She has been one of the sport's most elegant yet fierce competitors—a skier who blends style and power with remarkable precision. Her ability to evolve, adapt, and rise through adversity is what has set her apart.
The Winter Olympic alpine skiing world will surely miss her presence on the start gate, but her influence will continue to shape the sport for years to come. Whether through the athletes she inspired, the fans she moved, or the values she embodied, Lara Gut-Behrami's legacy is already firmly in place.
A Graceful Farewell to a Storied Winter Olympic Alpine Skiing Career
In the final stretch of her career, Gut-Behrami has been increasingly reflective. She knows that skiing is only part of her story. I want to be remembered not just as someone who won races, she said, but as someone who brought passion and heart to every run. That's what I'll carry with me after I leave the sport.
For fans around the world, Lara Gut-Behrami's final act promises to be just as compelling as everything that came before. And when she eventually steps away after the Winter Olympic 2026, she will do so with grace, gratitude, and greatness.
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