Maddie Bowman, South Lake Tahoe Olympic champion, announces retirement from competition

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - One of South Lake Tahoe's Golden Girls, Maddie Bowman, has announced her retirement from competitive halfpipe freeskiing on Monday.

In an announcement, U.S. Ski & Snowboard said Bowman, Olympic gold medalist, X Games gold medalist and seven-year member of the U.S. Freeski Team, is stepping away and leaving in her tracks a lasting legacy of triumph, perseverance, and progression.

“I have decided to step away from halfpipe skiing for a simple reason,” said Maddie in a statement. “I have given everything I have to progress the sport and now I know the women after me will do an amazing job. I would not have been able to be so successful or give the sport so much without the support of my sponsors and U.S. Ski and Snowboard. I also wouldn't have been so prepared to make this huge decision without them. The team and the halfpipe community has raised me into a woman with a voice, with passions both inside and outside of sport, and who knows when it's time to walk away. However, I will be a skier for the rest of my life. Skiing is my passion and I will be following it this season to Chamonix, France, where I will explore the backcountry and the big mountain side of things. Thank you all so much for your support as a halfpipe skier and into my lifetime career of being a skier and educator.”

The South Tahoe High graduate who just turned 26-years-old this month, started skiing at Sierra-At-Tahoe when in second grade. The two-time Olympian went on to win a gold medal in the Sochi Olympics in 2014 and seven gold medals in the X Games (five of which are gold).

Bowman has been representing Sierra-at-Tahoe.

In her Facebook post, Bowman said the following:

"As I step away from halfpipe skiing I am smiling. I know there will be times where I miss sharing such unique experiences with the amazing friends I have made. But I’m smiling because I know I will always have those memories and those people in my life. Thank you for making my halfpipe career so much fun! I am super excited to continue to explore the vast world of skiing! I am moving to Chamonix baby!!! Thank you to my sponsors and the US Ski and Snowboard team for helping me through my career and through this transition! I would not be where I am today without you guys."