Hamburg - Bode Miller, the defending overall World Cup champion, has decided not to race the rest of the 2009 season and has hinted at retirement.

"Due to a number of factors, it makes sense to call it a season," Miller said in a statement published by the US ski team late Tuesday.

Miller, 31, has had a frustrating season hampered by an ankle injury and failed to win either a World Cup race or gain a medal at the world championships in Val d'Isere, France in February.

However, he was only 35 points behind Austria's Michael Walchhofer in the World Cup downhill standings ahead of two downhills in Kvitfjell, Norway on Friday and Saturday and the season-ender in Are, Sweden next week.

Miller said: "I came into the season excited, with my mental and physical intensity where I wanted it to be. I had speed and raced hard all season but it didn't translate into the results we were hoping for.

"I have been racing World Cup for a while and need a break. At this time I find more happiness doing other things than being on tour."

Following the world championships, Miller took a break from racing, and has spoken on his online diary of saying how much he was enjoying the time he was spending with his one-year-old daughter.

The four-time world champion, who is the most successful US World Cup skier with 31 victories, left his future open.

"In terms of retirement, I have not yet made any decisions," he said. (dpa)