Julia Kykkänen, a 31-year-old Finnish ski jumper, announced her retirement from the sport on Instagram Wednesday evening. In her heartfelt post, she expressed gratitude to her family, friends, sponsors, and others who have supported her throughout her career. She emphasized that without their support, she wouldn't have been able to achieve such a long and memorable career in ski jumping. Kykkänen reflected fondly on the experiences and friendships she has gained through the sport, describing her journey as filled with incredible memories and adventures.

Kykkänen made history as the first Finnish woman to compete in ski jumping at a major international event, participating in the junior World Championships in 2008. Her career highlights include reaching the podium twice in the World Cup during the 2013-2014 season, which was her best season, finishing ninth in the overall standings. Throughout her career, she has inspired many with her achievements and has played a significant role in promoting women's ski jumping in Finland.

In addition to her sports career, Kykkänen will be appearing on the upcoming season of 'Erikoisjoukot,' a popular TV program where public figures take on challenging tasks. Her departure from competitive ski jumping marks the end of an era for Finnish ski jumping, but it also paves the way for new talents in the sport as she leaves behind a legacy of pioneering achievements for female athletes.