Bode Miller seeks new challenge — maybe a five-pack of crystal globes
Bode Miller seeks new challenge – maybe a five-pack of crystal globes{mosimage}ARE, Sweden – Bode Miller said he is considering several approaches to next season, one of which is becoming more of a specialist. Miller said it would be fun to try to become the first person to win all five of the World Cup crystal globes.
‘It’s a challenging goal’ Miller told Ski Racing on Tuesday. ‘No one has ever won all five globes before all the event globes and the overall. I think I have the ability to do it, and I have the years left in my career to do it.’
Miller emphasized that many things are still up in the air as he plans for his future in the sport, but nodded enthusiastically when speaking about the five-globe idea.
Miller already has the big overall globe (2005), and the smaller discipline globes for super G (2005) and giant slalom (2004).
He would need to focus on downhill or slalom, or both, to complete the collection.
‘It’s not a big stretch’ said Miller. ‘I’m looking for a really fun, great athletic challenge at this point in my career. Otherwise I’m not going to do it any more.’
Miller, who said his family and coaches had gotten hate mail following his disappointing performance at the Olympics, is in Are for Finals. He spent the last two weeks in Paris and Florida, vacationing while the World Cup was in Asia.
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He said he hopes to stay with the U.S. Ski Team next season, but hopes to see a new kind of relationship with the team – perhaps even a coach that was dedicated to helping him with a customized program.
Sweden’s Anja Paerson, winner of the 2005 overall title, has such a customized coaching scenario.
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Chasing the downhill and slalom titles are just one possibility for Miller.
‘It would just take somebody who was really on it, and really organized’ said Miller. ‘It would take a commitment on my part.’
Miller told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the status of his knee injury will play into his future on the race course.