Canadian moguls skier Heil announces retirement at season’s end

By Published On: January 26th, 2011Comments Off on Canadian moguls skier Heil announces retirement at season’s end

At a news conference yesterday (Jan. 25) Canadian mogul skier Jenn Heil announced that she will retire at the end of this season.

Heil’s formidable athletic résumé includes gold (2006) and silver (2010) Olympic medals, five FIS World Cup overall titles, four World Championship medals – including two wins – and an astounding 54 World Cup podiums.

Heil said it “felt right” to announce her impending retirement in Alberta where her Olympic dreams began 22 years ago at the 1988 Winter Games. “I was only five years old, but I was inspired by the Games and they inspired my Olympic dreams.”

“Retirement has been in my heart for a while, and I knew I wouldn’t compete after this season, but I just decided this morning that I would announce it here in Alberta where my family and friends will be coming to celebrate this week’s World Cup with me,” said Heil, who added that there is “absolutely zero chance” that she will make a comeback after the season is over.

Canadian Freestyle Ski Association CEO Peter Judge said Heil’s departure will be a loss for the National Team, “Jenn’s been a cornerstone of Canadian Freestyle’s programming for the better part of a decade. She has been a quiet leader, who will leave a tremendous legacy with her talent, drive and commitment to excellence.”

Future plans for Heil include completing her business degree at McGill university, continuing to design jewelry for Birks; but most of all, she said that it’s her mission to pay her success forward through her involvement with b2ten, Plan Canada’s Because I am a Girl Campaign and the ski camps she runs for aspiring freestyle athletes.

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About the Author: Eric Williams