WATCH: Tess Critchlow calls it a career

On March 3, 2022, Tess Critchlow competed in a snowboard cross race at the FIS Snowboard World Cup in Switzerland.

She finished in the top ten, in what would become her final career race.

Then came June 18, when the Big White native announced her retirement from racing in an Instagram post, saying in part; “I feel so blessed I was able to call it my job and nothing will replace the highs and happiness I get from racing … I’m no longer in a place that I can give it what it/I need to keep climbing the ranks."

Speaking with Kelowna10 after the announcement, Critchlow said the decision was a few years in the making, and she just felts now was the right time to step away.

“I think I’m just tapped out mentally and I’m ready for something else. I think it’s hard to say goodbye right now because last season was my best and most consistent and I felt the best on my snowboard,” she said. “That made it more of a challenge but it’s my time to start something new.”

She credits those who supported her mentally and physically for her career success, which started at the Neil Edgeworth Memorial Banked Slalom when she was six years old.

“My Canada snowboard team and my teammates, my parents, family, friends, sponsors, and everyone in the Okanagan; thank you,” Critchlow said. “You guys have been so amazing and supportive that it wouldn’t have been what it was, and I honestly wouldn’t have been able to do it without everyone.”

This year, Critchlow competed in her second Olympic Games, finishing sixth in the Women’s Snowboard Cross, after facing some adversity in the quarter finals in a come-from-behind victory.

During her 20-year career, her accomplishments include three Canadian National Championship wins, multiple top-10 World Cup finishes, and another top-10 finish in the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang – one of many career highlights for Critchlow.

“The first Olympics I had with Zoe [Bergermann] and Carle [Brenneman] - they’re my best friends - and teammates [is a great highlight],” she said. “I don’t know if I can pick out a single memory, there’s lots of chaos, but a lot of good times in that.”

Critchlow is excited for her first full winter in Canada in many years. She plans to continue snowboarding and wants to travel around to do some big mountain riding and spend time in the parks this summer.

She is also working towards getting her personal training certification, and wants to continue to work in the world of athletics, via sports health and nutrition.