ARNOTT RETIRES FROM NATIONAL SKI RACING CIRCUIT

January 6 2006: Twenty-three year-old New Zealand representative James (Jimbo) Arnott (Queenstown) has announced his retirement from competitive alpine ski racing following an injury sustained while racing in the United States.

Arnott's goal was to qualify for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy in February this year, but after fracturing his ankle at a race in Steamboat Springs last month, he is unable to meet the cut off date set for January 12 .

"It's incredibly disappointing because I have been focused for the last eight years on my skiing career with this year's Olympics being my main goal. Having missed qualification I have to rethink my involvement in the sport and have decided to move on and pursue my business interests."

Arnott has been a partner for the past 18 months in the icon Captain Cook student pub in Dunedin and has other plans in the pipeline with his business partners.

Skiing has been his passion since he began race training with the Queenstown Alpine Ski Team at the age of eight. He has moved through the ranks with strong success at regional and national level. International highlights include winning prestigious giant slalom and slalom FIS titles in Canada in 2004.

He was also a key member of the New Zealand team for three years in the 50K of Coronet Peak overnight endurance races which attracted international ski racers raising money for charity.

Arnott is a member of the New Zealand men's alpine ski team and a National Squad representative. He was also selected to the Winter Olympic Performance Programme as a level one athlete. This group is considered to have the highest potential for selection to represent New Zealand at the Winter Olympics in 2006.

He says the current season in the Northern Hemisphere training with the New Zealand men's team was the best skiing had ever had during his career.

"The new structure set up by Ski Racing New Zealand has put so many support systems in place. It is very professional and the programme is working really well. It is so frustrating to be injured and to have to pull the pin so close to Olympic selection. But to go another four years until the next Olympics in 2010 is too tough."

Arnott believes that with the new professional structure upcoming young New Zealand skiers will develop much more quickly.

"Previously the support wasn't there but now with everyone working together it is going to be so much easier and better for the younger talent. It's definitely great for the sport. Over the last 12 months all the national team athletes have improved significantly, and their training and in many cases their results, reflects the new direction which is being taken with ski racing in New Zealand."

Arnott pays tribute to his parents for their ongoing support which has allowed him to follow his passion.

"I am very grateful to them and to the support also from the Queenstown community. There is so much interest out there, it's fantastic."

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: JAMES ARNOTT 021 546263