CALGARY — Canada’s Mirela Rahneva announced her retirement from competitive skeleton racing Monday, ending an 11-year career that included 15 World Cup podium appearances and two trips to the Winter Olympics.

The Ottawa native also won bronze at the world championship in 2023 and earned three Crystal Globes for finishing third overall on the World Cup circuit.

“As an athlete, the pursuit of new goals has always driven me and for years I’ve been inspired by the challenge of striving for more,” Rahneva said in a statement. “This year I’ve taken the time to reflect on my accomplishments in sport and feel a strong pull toward exploring new opportunities and passions beyond competition.

“Recognizing what I’ve achieved has given me the confidence and excitement to step into this next phase with purpose.”

In her rookie World Cup season in 2016-17, Rahneva made four podium appearances and earned her first Crystal Globe.

She made her Olympic debut with a 12th-place finish at the Pyeongchang Games in 2018. Rahneva took fifth place at the 2022 Games in Beijing.

Rahneva won gold last February in Sigulda, Latvia for her fifth career trip to the top step of the World Cup podium.

“We are extremely proud of what she has accomplished representing Canada and our sport organization,” said Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton high-performance director Jesse Lumsden.

“We wish her the very best in this next stage of her life and know she will continue to have a positive impact on sport in Canada.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 2, 2024.