Italy's Kristian Ghedina retires, targets auto racing career

Italy’s Kristian Ghedina retires, targets auto racing career{mosimage}Kristian Ghedina announced his retirement from Alpine ski racing Wednesday, declaring a preference to take up auto racing after 16 years on the alpine World Cup. The spirited and successful Italian downhiller was one of the oldest athletes on the circuit.

‘I have decided’ said the 36-year-old Ghedina in a press conference in Milan. ‘From today they are not more a skier and I become a car pilot.’

He won 12 downhills and a super G on the World Cup and still holds the course record on the famed Lauberhorn course at Wengen, Switzerland.

“Skiing has given a lot to me, has been my life and it will always be part of my life’ he said. ‘I love this sport, the atmosphere, the contests. … At 36 years I still have a desire for speed, adrenaline and strong emotions, for this I want to continue my sport career in the world of the cars.’