Italian cross-country skier Roland Clara has retired from the sport ©Getty Images

Italian cross-country skier Roland Clara has called time on his 11-year career in the sport at the age of 34, it has been announced.

Clara, a two-time Winter Olympian who specialises in the free technique discipline, was considered one of the leading figures of the Italian team over the past decade but he has now decided to hang up his skis.

He participated in over 170 competitions on the International Ski Federation (FIS) World Cup calendar and recorded one victory, which came during the 2015 Tour de Ski.

Since his debut at a World Cup event in Lahti in Finland back in 2005, Clara achieved 11 podium finishes, eight of which were in relay races.

The 34-year-old from Riscone also claimed three individual medals at World Cup competitions.

Roland Clara competed at two Winter Olympics and was considered one of the leading Italian cross-country skiers of the past decade ©Getty Images
Roland Clara competed at two Winter Olympics and was considered one of the leading Italian cross-country skiers of the past decade ©Getty Images

As well as his performance at the FIS series of events, he also represented Italy at five World Championships - Sapporo 2007, Liberec 2009, Oslo 2011, Val di Fiemme 2013, and Falun 2015.

His best result at the FIS flagship competition came in the Czech city of Liberec seven years ago, where he finished 5th in the 30 kilometres skiathlon.

Clara competed in Vancouver 2010, where he came 36th in the 50km event, as well as at Sochi 2014.

"Thank you for all rollo... especially for the emotion that you gave us in 2015 on the final climb of Tour de Ski," the Italian Ski Federation said in a statement announcing Clara's retirement.

The FIS added: "We wish Rolland Clara all the best in his new life."