Miller in hot water
ByReuters
Published 09/01/2006 at 20:30 GMT
The head of the U.S. ski and snowboard association has condemned comments made by World Cup champion Bode Miller at Adelboden on drinking in the sport and said he planned to tackle the Alpine skier about them this week.
ALPINE SKIING 2005-2006 Wengen Bode Miller
Image credit: Reuters
"The on-camera comments by Bode Miller on CBS's "60 Minutes" on Sunday (Jan. 8) relative to alcohol use in conjunction with competition are unacceptable within the values expected of the
U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association," USSA President and CEO Bill Marolt said in a statement from Park City, Utah on Monday.
Miller, 28, said during an interview that partying had sometimes affected his condition at the start of races and alluded to skiing under the influence of alcohol.
"There have been times when I've been in really tough shape at the top of the course," he said.
The New Hampshire racer, who skis in all four Alpine disciplines and won world championship gold medals at downhill and super-G last year, said skiing under those conditions down a slalom course could be dangerous.
"It's like driving drunk, only there are no rules about it in ski racing," he said.
Marolt said alcohol use by an athlete was irresponsible and sent a "dangerously inappropriate" message to skiers and snowboarders, especially young ones.
"I will meet with Bode personally this week to discuss the issue and to work with him to both recognise the seriousness of his comments and to reach a positive outcome," Marolt said.
The American racer told reporters in Adelboden, Switzerland, last week that he had acknowledged only that he had raced with a hangover the morning after celebrating last season's overall World Cup title.
Miller's fast and furious brand of skiing and backwoods New Hampshire upbringing captivated World Cup fans and he became only the second American man to win the overall title after Phil Mahre in 1982.
But the 2002 Olympic silver medallist's candour has raised eyebrows. He has questioned why some performance-enhancing drugs are illegal, and mentions recreational drug use in an autobiography.
Miller has also tangled frequently with the International Ski Federation and earlier this season threatened to quit the circuit after being fined for failing to take a regulation boot test after the first leg of a race. He later relented.
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