France’s Pierre Vaultier, a 2014 and 2018 Olympic snowboard cross champion, retired following knee problems that sidelined him for nearly two years.
Vaultier, 33, has complications from inflammatory arthritis of one of his knees, according to the International Ski Federation (FIS).
“THE END OF A CHAPTER after years of emotions, experiences, victories and defeats I must resign from my racing carrier (sic),” was posted on Vaultier’s social media. “For some reasons the cartilage of my knee vanished in the past few months.”
Vaultier said he spent 17 months “fighting to get back on my feet,” including 12 months on crutches, according to FIS.