Two-time Olympic snowboarder and Richmond native Alexa Loo has announced she’s retiring from the sport after 11 years on the Canadian Snowboard Team.
Loo, 37, who has taken a job as an accountant in her home city, told Metro Vancouver this was a decision she’s been mulling over for a while.
“I was considering doing a few races this year and … realized the opportunities in the next chapter of my life are such that I have to jump in with both feet. So it was time to go after the next thing.”
“I had a job lined up for after the 2006 Olympics and showed up on my first day and I thought, ‘I’m not ready to hang it up.’ Now I totally am. I’m ready to be tied to my BlackBerry.”
She said she would likely have retired earlier if it hadn’t been for the Vancouver Olympics and the chance to compete in front of a hometown crowd.
“It was unbelievable to be here and feel the energy of everyone in Vancouver and know I was part of the reason for that energy,” she said.
Loo said what she’ll miss most is competing and spending time with her “other husband,” fellow Olympic snowboarder Jasey-Jay Anderson.
She’s looking forward to spending less time on the road and more time with her friends and actual husband.
