Alain Baxter announces international retirement

BRITAIN'S most decorated skier Alain Baxter has called time on his international career, ending hopes of an Olympic swansong at Vancouver 2010.

LAST ORDERS: Alain 'the Highlander' Baxter has called time on his international career (Getty Images)

The 35-year-old, who has been dogged by injuries in recent years, has slipped out of the top 100 in the world, having only completed three races this season.

Baxter is best known for capturing Great Britain's first ever Olympic skiing medal in 2002 - only to be stripped of it days later for testing positive for the banned substance methamphetamine.

He was cleared of any wrong doing by the Court of Arbitration for Sport after proving the failed test was down to the use of an over-the-counter Vicks nasal inhaler.

The IOC however refused to return his bronze medal, leaving a permanent stain on his achievements, but as the curtain comes down on his career, Baxter insists he has no regrets.

"I had always planned to make it to Vancouver for the 2010 Olympics but this is the first year I have felt that my injuries could have prevented me from performing to the best of my ability," said the Scot - dubbed the Highlander.

"Naturally, winning then losing an Olympic bronze medal in 2002 was one of the happiest and lowest points of my career.

"I am most proud of securing four top ten World Cup finishes for Great Britain and becoming the first British skier in almost 50 years to qualify for a World Cup finals slalom."

Baxter had hoped to make his fourth Olympic appearance in Vancouver next February, but having seeing his funding significantly cut, an impressive showing at last February's World Championships was paramount.

A back injury ruled him out however, ensuring his last hoorah will come at this week's British Championships in Meribel, but Baxter has intends to go out on a high, and will compete in a kilt and stop halfway down the piste to drink a dram of whisky.

Snowsport GB head coach Mark Tilston said: "Alain Baxter will always be one of the greats of British ski racing. He has shown that skiers from these shores can compete and beat traditional alpine nations.

"The trail that Alain has beaten has inspired a new generation of young ski racers who now follow in his tracks."