Anja Paerson of Sweden clears a gate during the women’s Alpine Skiing World Cup Super G race in Bansko February 26, 2012. – Reuters picSTOCKHOLM, March 12 – Former Olympic and multi-world champion Anja Paerson will retire after this week’s World Cup finals, bringing an end to a glittering 14-year career, the Swede said today.

Paerson, whose season has been hampered by a knee injury, made her World Cup debut at the 1998 finals in Crans-Montana, Switzerland and the season-ending event in Schladming, Austria will be the 30-year-old’s last.

“Spectacular crashes and long, drawn out injury problems over last few years have reduced my ability to perform at the highest level,” Paerson said in a statement.

“I have always been a fighter and this is a tough decision, but after thinking it over, I am ready for new challenges in my life,” she added.

Paerson picked up a slalom gold medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, won seven world championship titles and two overall World Cup crowns. The last of her 42 World Cup race wins was a downhill victory in Tarvisio, Italy in March 2011. – Reuters