VIENNA -- World Cup slalom champion Marlies Schild says she will sit out the remainder of the Alpine ski season to rest the knee she hurt in a training crash in December.
The Austrian recovered from the earlier injury and competed as defending champion in the slalom of last month's world championships. She was beaten for the title by American teenager Mikaela Shiffrin.
Schild says "because of recurring problems with my right knee, I have to end my current season for good now. I will take some rest and have additional therapy to be fully healthy for next season."
Schild, who earned her fourth World Cup slalom title last season, has won 33 races in the discipline, one short of matching Swiss standout Vreni Schneider's record.
With two events remaining, Shiffrin leads the slalom standings.
