Alpine ski star missing from USA's 2017-18 team list

pulse

May 25, 2017 11:00 PM

Bode Miller was not on the US Alpine ski team for the 2017-18 season unveiled Thursday, but that doesn't mean he can't make a last-ditch bid for the 2018 Olympics.

US alpine skier Bode Miller addresses the media during a press conference during the FIS Ski Alpine World Cupin Kitzbuehel, on January 20, 2017

"That's a decision we can't make at this time," US men's coach Sasha Rearick told AFP on Thursday of the chances Miller could yet race at the Winter Games in Pyeongchang in February.

"Bode is a tremendous skier. If he decides to put forward a valid effort to make the team, he could do so," Rearick said but added that for now the 39-year old Miller "is not able and willing to put that kind of commitment together".

Miller, a six-time Olympic medallist and a two-time winner of the World Cup overall crown, hasn't raced since tearing a hamstring tendon in a crash at the 2015 World Championships in Beaver Creek, Colorado.

He was attempting to resume his career last season -- when he was still listed in the US Ski Federation's "A" team -- but a dispute with his former equipment maker, Head, prevented him from competing.

On Thursday Miller was missing from the A, B and C groups listed in the US announcement -- which featured such stars as women's World Cup overall champion Mikaela Shiffrin and superstar Lindsey Vonn -- a quadruple World Cup overall winner and the 2010 Olympic downhill champion who battled injury again last season.

While Rearick said the door remained open for Miller should he want to attempt a return to World Cup or Olympic competition, conversations with the star so far hadn't produced any concrete plan.

"We discussed that in April, early May, we both came to an agreement, mutually, totally together: 'Hey, we are not able to put forward a plan,'" Rearick said.

He added, however: "Bode is a tremendous talent. When he feels comfortable on the skis it doesn't take him many days of high quality training. I am sure it would be possible (for him) to compete in the World Cup."

pulse