As of: March 1, 2024, 12:12 p.m
By: Korbinian Kothny
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Ski star Ragnhild Monwinckel is ending her career after the season.
Teammate Kajsa Vickhoff Lie loses her “big sister” and is close to tears.
Kvitfjell – The last two speed races are on the program in Kvitjfell on the weekend (March 2nd - 3rd) before the World Cup finals in Saalbach (AUT).
It will be another very special moment for ski star Ragnhild Monwinckel.
“She was my big sister”: Lie regrets stepping down from Monwinckel
The two-time Norwegian vice-Olympic champion announced her retirement at the end of the season a few days ago.
Now the 31-year-old's last races at home will follow, where she will say goodbye to the Norwegian fans.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, but all good things must come to an end,” Monwinckel wrote on Monday at the end of her career.
In her farewell video you could also see how the speed specialist had to shed a few tears.
Teammate Kajsa Vickhoff Lie also had to contend with these.
At a media round before the World Cup in her home country, the 25-year-old said when asked about Monwinckel's resignation: “Since I joined the national team five years ago, she has meant everything to me.
She was my big sister.”
Ragnhild Monwinckel and Kajsa Vickhoff Lie share a deep friendship.
© IMAGO / NTB
Lie will take over the leadership role from Monwinckel
Monwinckel won silver in the downhill and giant slalom at the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.
These were the first Alpine medals for a Norwegian woman at the Olympics since 1936. Lie should now follow in the big footsteps of her “big sister”.
“I just followed her and learned as much as I could.
I have to take what she taught me and pass it on,” explained the 25-year-old.
Lie has been at the top of the World Cup once so far.
Almost exactly a year ago, the racer won the downhill at her home race in Kvitfjell.
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Monwinckel and Lie are the only Norwegian speed aces
Lie was the first Norwegian woman ever to win a World Cup race in the premier discipline.
Monwinckel achieved the same feat in Cortina d'Ampezzo on January 27th this year.
Monwinckel and Lie are not only the most successful speed specialists in the Norwegian team, but also the only ones.
The two were the only Norwegians in downhill and super-G this season.
Next year Lie will probably start alone.
Perhaps also thinking of this, the 25-year-old said on Thursday, close to tears: “I shouldn’t cry.
We’ll just enjoy the last few days.” (
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