Ghedina makes it official

"I took the decision to end my ski career with a heavy heart but I made that decision after the Turin Olympics," he was quoted as saying on the Gazzetta dello Sport website.

"I've chosen to switch to cars because sometimes you only get one chance and you have to take it," Ghedina said, adding that he would race in the Italian 'super turismo' category and also in Formula 3000 International competitions.

During his career Ghedina won 13 World Cup races -- 12 in downhill along with a success in super-G -- but had less success at world championships and Olympics.

The 36-year-old from Cortina d'Ampezzo picked up two world silvers and one bronze but did not win an Olympic medal, his best results being sixth place in the combined at Albertville in 1992 and in the downhill at Nagano in 1998.