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Elena Stern steps back from competitive curling

Swiss skip Elena Stern is hanging up her broom.

Stern announced Wednesday on social media she is stepping back from competitive curling.

“I am very grateful for all the experiences I made thanks to this sport — the highs and lows, success and defeat,” Stern wrote on Instagram. “I learned about friendship, team spirit, fairness and pushing your limits. I got the chance to travel to many different places and meet great people all over the world. What remains are great memories and friendships that will accompany me beyond the sport.”

The 26-year-old from Zurich, Switzerland, threw third stones and called the game with fourth Briar Hürlimann, second Lisa Gisler and lead Céline Koller. They captured the Tour Challenge Tier 2 women’s title in 2018 to earn a promotion into the elite ranks. Team Stern stunned reigning world champions Team Tirinzoni to win the 2020 Swiss women’s national championship, however, the women’s worlds was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and they were unable to represent their nation on the global stage.

Stern competed in both Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling events this season in the Calgary bubble going winless through the Humpty’s Champions Cup and bouncing back to reach the quarterfinals in the Princess Auto Players’ Championship.