Eight-time World Cup champion and Olympic medalist freestyle skier Jan Bucher has decided to retire.
Bucher, 33, of Salt Lake City, said Monday she will become a ballet coach with the Canadian freestyle team.Bucher, who turned to freestyle skiing after a broken ankle ended her figure skating career in 1976, recorded 63 individual World Cup victories and won two world titles during her time with the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team.
"Jan's results speak for themselves," said U.S. coach Wayne Hilterbrand. "She's been a great champion, contributing a lot to the sport and the U.S. team and there's no question we'll miss her in many ways."
Bucher said she looked forward to drawing on her competition experience to teach younger skiers.
"I want to give something back to the sport," she said. "I'll be able to coach these kids and pass along what I've learned, to leave something of me in the sport."