U.S. athlete Leanne Smith retires
Aug 31, 2018·Alpine Skiing
U.S. Ski Team athlete Leanne Smith announced her retirement on Friday. Smith had over 100 World Cup starts in her career starting back in 2007. In those 10 years, she earned two World Cup podium finishes – a third place in the Cortina d’Ampezzo downhill in 2013 and a second place in the 2012 Val d’Isere downhill.
Smith was plagued by injuries in recent years and spent the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons off of the slopes. However, for Smith, there are many good memories.
“I have great memories of every stage of my career, but if I had to choose I would say the Olympics,” Smith said. “It is the pinnacle for every athlete. A medal would’ve been unbelievable, but just being there and representing the United States with thousands of other athletes, from all over the world, is something special.”
Next up for Smith is coaching at the first American Downhillers camp in May with the likes of retired athlete Marco Sullivan and current racer Bryce Bennett.
