GB snowboarder Wakeham to retire

Wakeham came 26th in the halfpipe at the 2006 Winter Olympics

British Olympic snowboarder Dan Wakeham has announced his retirement from international competition.

The 27-year-old from Plymouth has competed for Britain since 2002.

Wakeham - who competed in the half-pipe at the 2006 Winter Olympics, finishing 26th - said: "After a lot of serious thought, I have decided to retire.

"For the last few years I've wanted to quit, but people always seem to talk me into staying with promises of funding and sponsorship."

He added: "I have a solid CV and I have had some job interviews. It will be refreshing to start a new project and I am keen to get a job with stability and a regular income."

Wakeham, Britain's first male Olympic snowboarder, only started boarding at 14 but by 22 he had won the Europa Cup - the first Briton to win the title in any snowsport discipline.

He has recorded numerous top-10 results in World Cup events.