Bode Miller has surgery for injured back

After months of skiing in pain, Bode Miller elected to undergo outpatient back surgery on Monday and will miss about eight weeks of the World Cup season.

Miller, 37, had been training in Austria and Colorado but could not overcome a nagging injury.

“I am disappointed that I will miss some of the early season speed races,� he said in a statement released by the U.S. Ski Team. “But the procedure will alleviate the pain and discomfort I have been fighting in my back since World Cup finals last year.�

The six-time Olympic medal winner hopes to recover in time for the downhills at Wengen and Kitzbuehel in January and then to race at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek in February.

“Bode’s planned outpatient surgery is typical for this diagnosis,� said Kyle Wilkens, the team’s medical director. “His return to training will be based on the extent of the surgery.�