Skiing farewell: A fearless Swiss woman has had enough

Sliding? Drifting? Slowing down? No, that wasn't for Noémie Kolly. The Swiss downhill skier was long considered one of the bravest athletes on the Swiss ski team. This fearlessness distinguished her, was one of her greatest qualities – but it also had consequences. The 27-year-old's career was marked by injuries, hospital stays, and surgeries. Now, that's over.

On Friday, Noémie Kolly, who has competed in 31 World Cup events, announced her retirement. A cruciate ligament tear, which the Swiss suffered in December 2024, was the much-quoted straw that broke the camel's back. "This renewed knee injury was a hard blow," Kolly said in a press release. Swiss Ski. “I am no longer willing to make the sacrifices.” Noémie Kolly "Since starting rehab, the recurring pain has led me to intensively question my athletic future. I came to the conclusion that I am no longer willing to make the sacrifices that elite sport requires," Kolly said.

Fearless downhill skier: Noémie Kolly. © AFP / CHRISTOF STACHE

Thus, a once promising career comes to an end. In February 2019, Kolly won the silver medal in the downhill at the Junior World Championships in Val di Fassa. A few weeks earlier, she immediately scored points in her first World Cup race in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (29th place). But in the summer of 2019, the first major setback came when Kolly tore the cruciate ligament in her knee and missed an entire season. In 2022, the Swiss skier was already considering retirement when she struggled with severe back pain.

A new path begins But Kolly didn't give up and returned. Her best result was 12th place in the World Cup, and she also made it onto the podium twice in the European Cup. Now a new chapter in the Swiss skier's life begins, away from the slopes.

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Skiing farewell: A fearless Swiss woman has had enough

In the middle of summer, the Swiss ski team announces a retirement. A downhill skier has drawn a line under it.

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