“She meant the world to me”: Teammate struggles with tears over Mowinckel’s resignation

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The announcement of the retirement of Ragnhild Mowinckel (31) came as a surprise to many ski enthusiasts. The Norwegian said she wanted to resign while she was at the top: “Now was the time to do it.”

One person who finds it difficult to process the farewell is teammate Kajsa Vickhoff Lie (25). In a media round prior to the speed races in Kvitfjell, the Norwegian fought back tears: “Since I joined the national team five years ago, she has meant everything to me. She was my big sister.”

Mowinckel has four World Cup victories in her career to date, as well as ten podium finishes. At the 2018 Winter Olympics, the 31-year-old won silver in the giant slalom and downhill, World Cup bronze in the combined event in 2019 and the giant slalom in 2023. A successful career from which Vickhoff Lie has been able to learn a lot.

Vickhoff Lie must take on the role of team leader

“I just followed her and learned as much as I could,” says the 25-year-old, who won her only World Cup victory to date in Kvitfjell a year ago. At the time, she was the first Norwegian woman to win a downhill event. Almost in tears, she continues: ‘I shouldn’t be crying. We’re just going to enjoy the last few days.”

In the future, she wants to be for young athletes what Mowinckel was for them: a role model. “I have to take what she taught me and pass it on.” And the Norwegian women’s speed team desperately needs new blood: Vickhoff Lie and Mowinckel were the only Norwegians to compete in downhill and super-G this season.

Tina Weirather, ex-ski racer and good friend of Mowinckel, is convinced that the timing of her dismissal was well chosen: “I have the feeling that she is ready for a new phase of her life.”

Source : Blick