Bode Miller Announces He Won't Compete in 2015-16 World Cup Circuit

Bode Miller is one of the most decorated skiers in United States history, but he won’t be adding any more medals or accomplishments to his resume on the 2015-16 World Cup Circuit. 

According to an Associated Press report (via ESPN.com), Miller “will take a break from racing on the World Cup circuit this season to spend more time with his family, test out new ski equipment and help train a barn of horses he bought.”

The 38-year-old also said an appearance in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea is “really unlikely,” per the AP report, although he isn’t leaning toward retiring at the moment.

“It would be a cool thing to share with your kids, competing at a high level,” Miller said, per the AP report. "And fitness-wise, my body feels excellent. You never know, but I would say it’s really unlikely I’d go in ’18.”

Per David Wharton of the Los Angeles Times, Miller underwent surgery in November 2014 on a herniated disk in his back. Miller then crashed at the world championships three months later and severed his right hamstring tendon. However, the AP noted the skier’s hamstring didn’t impact his ability over the summer while skiing in Europe and Chile.

This won’t be the first time Miller has taken a break from competition.

According to his U.S. Ski Team profile, Miller skipped the 2013 season to recover from knee surgery and then proceeded to make his first podium in the giant slalom since 2007 when he returned to action in 2014. He also won an Olympic medal in the 2014 Sochi Olympics and made multiple other podium appearances.

In all, Miller is a two-time World Cup overall champion and six-time Olympic medalist, including the gold medal he won in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.