Overview
- Ema Klinec announced her retirement in a press statement and a Ljubljana news conference on Monday, bringing an immediate end to her competitive career.
- The 28-year-old will not race at the World Cup season opener in Lillehammer on 20 November, meaning Slovenia will enter the mixed-team event without one of its strongest athletes.
- Klinec is a former world champion from Oberstdorf 2021 and was the first woman to exceed 200 metres in skiflying, holding a 226 m record from March 2023 to March 2024.
- She cited only ‘several factors’ for the sudden decision; her coach Jurij Tepes said he believes she made a carefully considered, difficult choice after recent health problems and past knee injuries.
- Klinec had staged a comeback this year by winning the Summer Grand Prix in Klingenthal and has completed a psychology degree, signaling she may pursue studies and life beyond sport while Slovenia adjusts its team plans.