Lucrezia Lorenzi retires, with dedication to the memory of her sister Matilde

With a very long post on Instagram, 27-year-old Lucrezia Lorenzi, a slalom racer born in Turin and transplanted to Sestriere with her family and younger sister Matilde, who died tragically on Oct. 28 a year ago at only 19 years old, announced her retirement from competitive racing.

In Lorenzi’s career, she competed in 21 World Cup races, all in slalom, making her debut on her home slopes in Sestriere on December 11, 2022 and went straight to the points, finishing 28th, but her only other top-30 finish was a 21st place in the night race in Flachau on January 16, 2024.

“There are moments in life when you feel a circle is closing. Today for me is that day. After years of snow, sacrifice, joy and disappointment, the time has come to say goodbye to my career as a professional athlete,” writes Lucrezia.

“It is not an easy decision, because skiing has been home, school, my greatest passion. But inside me I know the time is right.

In recent times, I felt that, even that world that had welcomed me for years, was beginning to feel a little “tight,” that I could no longer express myself with the freedom I once had. It was another important realization that helped me realize that it was time to discover new horizons.”

“To you, who have supported me on this journey, goes my sincerest thanks: to the coaches who believed in me, to the teammates who became family, to the friends and fans who never left me alone, and most of all to my family and my Tommy, who have been my rock through every climb, every fall, every joy.”

“This sport has taught me resilience, tempered me, until I have grown broad shoulders, ready to carry with pride all that I have learned.”

“Today I close an important chapter, but not with sadness. I do so with gratitude and with the strength of one who knows that every end is a new beginning. I am ready to face what is to come, with the same passion, determination and fire that I have always put on the track.”

“Last year was so hard, but don’t worry Princess… snow will forever remain a part of us”: this is the closing, dedicated to Matilde, of Lucrezia’s post.