Vonn and Shiffrin pay tribute to 'legend', 'GOAT' Hirscher

Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin posted emotional tributes to Marcel Hirscher on social media after the fellow skiing great announced his retirement.

Hirscher, who won a record eight consecutive overall FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup titles, confirmed his decision to quit the sport at the age of 30 on Wednesday.

Record-breaking female star Vonn also called time on her illustrious career this year and said the loss of Hirscher was another blow to skiing.

"It's been a tough year for ski racing," Vonn wrote on Twitter. "The legend Marcel Hirscher has announced his retirement.

"Congratulations on an amazing career my friend. Racing in the same era as you has been an honour. Eight overall titles is a record no one will ever break! Enjoy the time with your family."

It’s been a tough year for ski racing, the legend @marcel__hirscher has announced his retirement. Congratulations on an amazing career my friend. Racing in the same era as you has been an honor. 8 overall titles is a record no one will ever break! Enjoy the time with your family pic.twitter.com/JDHMctCaOG

— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) September 4, 2019

She added: "Now... retired life isn't so bad after all. Chapeau Marcel."

Shiffrin is well placed to challenge records claimed by Hirscher and Vonn, having registered 60 World Cup wins by the age of 24.

But she lauded Hirscher's inspirational career, his sportsmanship and ability to show "what we once thought was impossible is possible" as she dubbed the Austrian the greatest ever.

Shiffrin posted on her Twitter account: "Strange how emotional it can feel to say 'goodbye' to a retiring athlete, but then again it's not strange at all.

"When it's an athlete you have been learning from and finding inspiration from for your entire career, it's not strange. (*wipes tear from eye*)

Strange how emotional it can feel to say ‘goodbye’ to a retiring athlete, but then again it’s not strange at all. When it’s an athlete you have been learning from and finding inspiration from for your entire career, it’s not strange.(*wipes tear from eye*) Thoughts cont. below pic.twitter.com/PxSpZPvvDo

— Mikaela Shiffrin (@MikaelaShiffrin) September 4, 2019

"When it's an athlete who took your sport to totally different heights, who showed that what we once thought was impossible is possible, it's not strange.

"When it's an athlete who has inspired generations of athletes to come to get up, to fight, and to bring their absolute best every single time, it's not strange.

"When it's an athlete who always treated the others with respect, and showed us what sportsmanship means, it's not strange. No, it's not strange at all...

"THANK YOU for the incredible moments in this sport, Marcel Hirscher. And all the best for the future. #GOAT"