Kronberger Retires From Competition

Petra Kronberger, the world’s best female skier for the last three years, announced Monday that she is retiring from competition.

“I have reached everything possible in the world of ski racing,” Kronberger, 23, said in a statement issued by the Austrian Ski Union. “I know that many will say ‘Petra is crazy to renounce all that money.’ . . . My health is more important.”

Kronberger, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, had not recovered from last year’s grueling performances despite lighter-than-usual summer training. Her first four races this season had been relatively lackluster. Her best showing was a third-place finish at Steamboat Springs, Colo.

Kronberger is ranked ninth overall, with 156 World Cup points.