Lara Gut-Behrami has officially ended her competitive career after a long and successful journey in alpine skiing. The 35-year-old Swiss athlete made the decision following a severe injury sustained during training in November 2025. Despite initially considering a return to competition, she ultimately concluded that this was the right time to step away from the slopes. In a public statement, Gut-Behrami reflected on her achievements and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to pursue her dreams through skiing. The injury occurred during the 2025–2026 Olympic season when Gut-Behrami tore her anterior cruciate ligament while training at Copper Mountain in the United States. She also suffered damage to the medial collateral ligament and the meniscus of her left knee. As a result, she missed the entire season, including the Winter Olympics held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. “After almost twenty years of elite sport and numerous falls and injuries, I don’t have chronic pain and want it to stay that way,” she wrote. “That’s why I feel it’s the right moment to end my career.” Gut-Behrami began competing in the World Cup in December 2007 in St. Moritz, at just 16 years old. Over the course of nearly two decades, she amassed an impressive record, securing 48 victories in the World Cup and 101 podium finishes. She twice won the prestigious Crystal Globe for overall World Cup success, during the 2015–2016 and 2023–2024 seasons, and claimed seven smaller crystal globes for individual discipline wins. She was particularly dominant in super-G, winning six titles, with one victory in giant slalom. At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Gut-Behrami earned gold in super-G and bronze in giant slalom. She also placed third in the ski jumping qualification in Sochi 2014. On the world championship stage, she collected nine medals, including two golds. Her most notable successes came in Cortina d’Ampezzo in 2021, where she won both the giant slalom and super-G events. Her career was marked by resilience and consistency. Despite facing multiple injuries and setbacks, Gut-Behrami remained a top performer. She was three times named Sportswoman of the Year in Switzerland, winning the award in 2016, 2023, and 2024. Born in Sorengo, Switzerland, and raised in the canton of Ticino, she speaks three of the country's official languages. Her dedication to the sport helped elevate the profile of Swiss alpine skiing on the global stage. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Gut-Behrami’s personal life has been intertwined with sports. She married former Swiss national footballer Valon Behrami in 2018, and they share the surname Gut-Behrami. Their union has become a symbol of love and partnership within the sporting community. As she steps away from competition, Gut-Behrami leaves behind a legacy that will inspire future generations of athletes. Her career serves as a testament to perseverance, excellence, and the enduring spirit of winter sports. With over 48 World Cup wins and two major crystal globes, she ranks among the most successful female skiers in history. Her final race marks the end of an era, but her impact on the sport will endure for many years to come.
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