US Ski Team chief Bill Marolt apologizes after DUI arrest in Utah

US Ski Team chief arrested on DUI charge

PARK CITY, Utah — U.S. Ski Team chief Bill Marolt issued an apology Saturday after being arrested days earlier on suspicion of driving under the influence not far from the team’s headquarters in Park City.

In a brief statement, Marolt apologized for his Wednesday night arrest, which came just days after the team completed one of its most successful seasons.

“This is something that I take very seriously both as an individual and as a leader of our organization,” he said. “I apologize for any disruption this may cause to the organization for which I’m so passionate.”

Park City police Sgt. Darwin Little confirmed the arrest but declined to comment on details in the police report.

Marolt has had two stints with the group, beginning as its alpine director in the 1980s. Since 1996, he has been president and chief executive officer of the organization, now formally known as the U.S. Ski and Snowboarding Association.

Association spokesman Tom Kelly said he was unaware of details surrounding Marolt’s arrest.

U.S. Olympic Committee spokesman Patrick Sandusky declined to comment.

“Bill and (the U.S. Ski and Snowboarding Association) promptly advised the USOC of the situation and until there is resolution on the matter, to comment further would be inappropriate,” he said.

Little said additional officers worked the night of Marolt’s arrest because it was St. Patrick’s Day.

Marolt oversees the national governing body for Olympic skiing and snowboarding in the U.S.

His arrest came days after Olympic downhill champion Lindsey Vonn won her third consecutive overall World Cup title.

At the Winter Games in Vancouver last month, U.S. skiers won the alpine skiing medal count, collecting eight medals and breaking the team’s previous record of five medals at the 1984 Sarajevo Games.