Janelle Greer is the second Greer to close the book on a brilliant cross-country ski career this year.

Her older brother David made his decision in May after failing to qualify for the national team.

Janelle made a similar decision this summer, announcing her retirement on her personal website in August.

"It might be a bit of a shock to hear this, it wasn't an easy decision to make, but I am happy with it and am very excited to explore new life opportunities,” the 21-year-old said on her blog.

Greer struggled to recover from compartment syndrome surgery she had on her shins in October 2012, which caused her to miss the competitive ski season in its entirety. The condition occurs when there is insufficient blood supply to muscles and nerves.

The long recovery process sapped Greer's motivation to the point of retirement. She hopes to attend nursing school beginning next fall.

Greer retires after representing the territory at seven national championships, two Canada Winter Games and three Arctic Winter Games. She was a member of the junior national team for three years.

Longtime Cross-Country Yukon ski coach Alain Masson said Greer had a remarkable junior career.

"Unfortunately, she suffered some injuries and never reached her full potential,” he told the Star. "But she was a great junior skier, and always managed to get in some of her best races when it really mattered.”

Masson also said that like her older siblings Brittany and David, Janelle was an inspiration to the Yukon.

"All athletes who make national teams are an inspiration to the next generation,” he said.

Greer was twice a finalist for International Athlete of the Year at Sport Yukon's annual awards gala.

She said one of her career highlights was competing with her brother at the 2009 World Junior Championships in France – her first time at that level of competition. The siblings would represent Canada together again in Turkey, 2012.

"I was able to represent Canada at three different World Junior Championship,” Greer said. "Those are always something special. In each one of those three years, I was the top Canadian at least once, sometimes twice. I was always proud to be from the Yukon.”