Rate it!

0 votes

All you ever needed to know about twice World Cup overall champion Bode Miller, who has announced he would return to the US ski team and bid for a spot at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

EARLY DAYS

* Born on Oct. 12, 1977 in Easton, New Hampshire. Grew up in the woods outside Franconia in cabin without electricity or indoor plumbing and was home schooled until Grade Three.

* Fiercely independent and stubborn. Frustrated by the politics and regiment of the US ski team and the International Ski Federation (FIS), once threatened to start up his own race circuit.

* One of the White Circus's most charismatic and talented racers, Miller's reckless win-or-crash approach to the sport has won legion of fans around the world.

* Miller says his motivation has always been the perfect run rather than medals.

MILLER TIME

* In 2005 became the first American man since Phil Mahre in 1983 to win the World Cup overall crown and then captured the coveted crystal globe again in 2008 after splitting with the US ski team and racing independently.

* Won four world championship gold medals: 2005 Bormio, downhill and super-G; 2003 St. Moritz, giant slalom and combined.

* Has won an American record 31 World Cup races.

* A superb all-rounder, with a slalom victory in Sestriere in 2004 Miller became only the second man after Marc Girardelli to win in all four World Cup disciplines in the same season.

* The one glaring hole in Miller's sparkling resume is an Olympic gold medal. Miller was a double silver-medallist (giant slalom and combined) at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games. Entered the 2006 Turin Olympics hyped as the hot favourite to medal in five events but failed to score a podium finish.

LAST CALL

* In an interview with American television program 60 Minutes, Miller admitted to skiing "wasted" sparking scorn from US ski officials and politicians.

* Before the start of the 2005 World Cup season Miller again courted controversy saying he was in favour of liberalising anti-doping rules in sport.

* After failing to win a medal at the Turin Olympics Miller shrugged off criticism by saying he got to party Olympic style, again drawing the wrath of US ski officials.

* Miller further strained his relationship with the US ski team when he insisted on travelling the World Cup in his own RV that became known as the "Bode-mobile".

* Following years of awkward co-existence, Miller split from the US ski team after the 2007 season to race independently, financing his own Team America.

* The gamble proved a huge success with Miller winning six World Cup races in 2008 and his second overall title.

* Last season Miller struggled with injuries and failed to win a World Cup race for the first time since 2002. Did not compete last month of the season, triggering talk Miller was considering retirement.

* Miller disbanded Team America earlier this year.

Reuters