Skier Michela Figini in Rift With Coach Quits

Swiss skier Michela Figini, the youngest woman to win an Olympic downhill title and a two-time World Cup champion, has retired from racing after a bitter row with her coach.

Figini, 24, is the third towering figure Swiss skiing will miss next season after the retirement of Maria Walliser and Pirmin Zurbriggen. Together, the three dominated the sport in the mid- to late-1980s.

Her first great triumph came at age 17 in the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics, where she became the youngest women’s downhill champion in Games history.

The Swiss Ski Federation announced Figini’s retirement late Thursday, publishing a summary of a highly critical letter outlining her decision.

Figini last month threatened to quit unless women’s head coach Jan Tischhauser resigned. She accused him of poor training methods and poisoning the team atmosphere, partly because of a power struggle with her personal service technician.

In her letter, Figini cited those points and charged the federation was deaf to criticism.

A public rift over coaching developed between Tischhauser and several women’s team members during last season and Figini evidently speculated the challenge would lead to his removal.

But ski federation leaders backed Tischhauser and the other racers, lacking Figini’s star status and influence, backed down.

“However, I have realized the great dream and today feel free to decide about my life,” Figini’s letter said. “Under these circumstances I am not prepared to accept compromises.”