By HANK McKEE

It’s official: Bode is back.

In a joint press conference in Los Angeles today (Sept. 24) The U.S. Ski Team and Bode Miller announced a reconciliation. After two seasons of chasing ski racing dreams on his own – one successful and one dismal – Bode Miller has rejoined the U.S. Ski Team and the team has welcomed his return.

Statistically the most successful (31 wins) American World Cup ski racer in history Bode Miller has, at times, been a handful to manage, resulting in a split from the national team after the 2007 season. For 2008 he formed his own Team America, hired his favorite U.S. team coach (John McBride) and proceeded to win six World Cup races and his second overall title (the first came in 2005).

Last season, however, Miller struggled with some physical nicks and failed to win a race for the first time in eight years, since his first win in 2002. An injured ankle seems to have been the biggest physical hindrance and recently he revealed his vision may also have been a factor. While Miller says he doesn’t race for results, the 2009 season definitely did not provide him with incentive. It suffices to point out the man who set the mark for consecutive races started (136) skipped the last month of the tour.

Miller purposely stepped away from the sport. “It was mostly a time to clear the slate,” he said. “I had never (before) had a chance to step back. … It was a chance to take a solid look at what I want to do.”

There had been speculation the often uncommunicative Miller would retire after Team America was disbanded, and he said he was definitely considering it. But a few weeks ago Miller called U.S. team head coach Sasha Rearick. “Once I touched base with Sasha a few weeks ago,” Miller said, “and he seemed enthusiastic to reintegrate me back into the team for first time I began to really consider it.”

They started to explore his rejoining the team. Last week he was at the team’s fancy new headquarters in Park City using the state of the art conditioning facilities at the Center of Excellence, presumably to for benchmark tests. He said his condition is – for him – a little scary. “I’m not in bad shape, but it is a far cry from race shape,” he said, indicating that was difficult for a man who has prided himself on his physical condition. Accordingly  he will skip the season openers at Soelden in October. He said he anticipates he can be ready for the North American stretch of the World Cup tour, beginning in late November.

Miller left the ski team after upper management put forth what some in the media termed “Bode Rules,” laying out stringent regulations regarding what team athletes could and couldn’t do. Miller had earned the reaction during the run up to the 2006 Torino Olympics when he gained far more media interest off snow than on, most notably a 60 Minutes interview in which he said he once raced with a hang-over (after winning his first World Cup overall title).

Ski team CEO and President Bill Marolt set the standards Miller couldn’t live by.  As Miller rejoins the team Marolt has become one of his stronger supporters.

“Bode Miller has distinguished himself as one of America’s greatest ski racers,” Marolt writes, “winning World Cup titles as a member of the U.S. Ski Team and racing independently. Last week I had the opportunity to meet with Bode to discuss how the team could best support him. He has realized, from his time away from ski racing over the summer, how much passion he retains for the sport and the legacy he wants to leave by helping others. He has expressed what I feel is a sincere interest in working together with the U.S. Ski Team not only as a productive athlete, but a supportive teammate.”

The team has not asked for, nor received any apology. “I think,” said Miller, “My actions will speak louder than any apology.”

He has made, according to Marolt, a commitment to participate in the team program at the same level as any other team athlete and indicated a desire to be a positive leader within the team.

“The idea,” said Miller, “is to make it positive and not turn into a regurgitation of the past.”

Miller said the Olympics have never been a “huge motivation for me,” but said that – if he qualifies via the team criteria – he looks forward to performing on that stage.

What he seeks, and the reason he rejoined is a team “that leaves no stone unturned,” in providing the opportunity for peak performance. The Olympic stage, he said, “stands alone,” in providing the energy and atmosphere for greatness. “I am more looking to performing at my very highest level.”

“It’s been good to have him around,” says USSA’s Vice President of Athletics Luke Bodensteiner. “We’ve had some good discussions.”

“Everybody changes,” said Bodensteiner. “He does and we have.”

Five days before the team’s announcement Miller was rejoining the team, Bodensteiner said the discussions had not touched on any negotiations or rules. “The time has been about understanding each other and agreeing we have the same goals. … Feeling if there’s a partnership or not.”

“What he says,” Bodensteiner said of Miller’s input, “is that he likes to ski race and that is what he’s about.”

“Bode is committed to the Team and the Team looks forward to helping Bode achieve personal greatness,” Rearick said. “Because Bode is such a great competitor he’s going to challenge everyone on the Team to push their personal limits and strive for greater performances. I look forward to Bode being a positive team member and leader.

“Our men’s team the last two years has grown into a close-knit family – we help each other be successful. Having proven veterans like Ted [Ligety], Marco [Sullivan], Steven [Nyman], Scott [Macartney] and Bode all training and racing together will help all of us. This is a group of strong leaders that Bode has trained and raced with throughout his career.”

Rearick said having “Bode come back to the family,” is completely positive.

“It will help everybody . He is fast in all disciplines and over  the years he’s been inspirational to all of us with  innovative technique and tactics. I think the Audi World Cup is fortunate to have Bode coming back.”

There is no question Miller likes to ski race, and there is no question he is very, very good at it. If there are questions it is can he re-assimilate to the ski team and can the men’s team re-assimilate to having one of the most popular ski racers of  all time traveling with them.

Phil McNichol was the head men’s coach from 2003 through 2008. He feels it is great both Miller and the team are pursuing a new partnership and has nothing but the best of wishes for both parties. “But in terms of outcome I couldn’t venture a guess.  … With the right approach from him, and only him, he can dominate the world.”

Both he and the team are saying all the right things.

Ski Racing Photo by E Williams