Skier Paerson to retire in 2010

Paerson is one of the all-time greats of women's skiing

Swedish alpine skier Anja Paerson has revealed she plans to retire from the sport next year.

The 27-year-old has won two World Cup overall titles, seven world championship gold medals and gold in the slalom at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

"That's my goal, to quit next year," she told Swedish television.

This season she has struggled with a knee injury, failing to win a medal at the world championships for the first time since her worlds debut in 1999.

Paerson is the only female skier to win gold at the world championships in all five skiing disciplines.

606: DEBATE Pay your tributes to Anja Paerson

She is expected to compete at next year's Olympics in Vancouver, but admitted her knee is becoming a problem.

"I have learned to live with my bad knee," she said.

"I know the consequences of what could happen, and it could all be over tomorrow."