The 26-year-old, who has won five International Skating Union (ISU) Short Track Speed Skating World Cup gold medals and broken the 500 metres world record this season, says she wants more time to prepare for the World Championships which are scheduled to take place in Dutch city Rotterdam from March 10 to 12.

It was a decision made by both Christie, the overall gold medallist at the last two editions of the European Championships, and her coach Nicky Gooch.

"We have put a lot of thought into this decision," said Christie.

"I've been European champion more than once, but not yet world champion.

"This extra training time could help me achieve that goal.

"It's a risk, but I am willing to try.

"By avoiding the rest days and travel days that come with competition, I can focus on more volume training as well as speed training.

"The European Championships are a very special event, it will be disappointing not to go, as the atmosphere is unique and I've had a lot of success."

Christie secured overall gold at last year's European Championships in Sochi after claiming victories in the 1,500m, 1,000m and 500m competitions. 

Three of the Scot's five World Cup gold medals from his season came in her favoured 500m event, while the other two were in the 1,000m.

She ended last year top of the 500m world rankings and second in the 1,000m equivalent behind South Korea’s Choi Min-jeong.

Christie also broke a 500m world record at the World Cup in Salt Lake City, clocking 42.335sec in the quarter-finals before crashing out of contention in the final.

This year's European Championships are scheduled to take place at the Torino Palavela from January 13 to 15.