Top New Zealand freeskier Byron Wells is retiring from competition after 12 years at the top level.
Wells, 28, was selected for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games however had to withdraw from the event after suffering a leg injury during practice the day before his half pipe event.
Byron Wells. Photo: Tommy Pyatt
On his return to competition post Sochi Byron re-staked his claim as one of the world's best superpipe skiers by posting strong results including wins at the Aspen Open halfpipe in 2015 and 2016, bronze at the Canadian Open halfpipe, bronze in slopestyle at the Rev Tour and bronze in halfpipe at the AFP World Tour finals.
He finished fourth in the halfpipe at the Pyeongchang 2018.
With his brothers Jossi, Beau-James and Jackson as his team mates Byron was coached by his father Bruce.
"It has been an amazing journey this past 15 years as a professional skier, full of moments and friends I will cherish for the rest of my life," he said.
"It was a roller coaster of a career, plagued with injury for the better part, but looking back there were some amazing highs as well. My career didn't turn out as I had planned in my head but nonetheless, I enjoyed the success I did achieve and got to travel the world doing what I love with my family. I wouldn't change a thing as it has made me the man I am today."
Byron Wells competing at the 2017 Aspen Winter X Games. Photo: Tommy Pyatt
"My body is pretty beat up; my knees have been screaming at me for the last five years and I feel if I stop now, I can get back to a point where I'm able to do some of the other things I love and keep enjoying this amazing life.
"I want to be able to kick a ball around with my kids one day, go on hikes...and of course still enjoy getting on snow.
"I'm also really looking forward to some summers after 17 years of back-to-back winters.
Wells has been studying for his commercial helicopter license and is looking forward to finishing that off and starting a new career flying.
