Ligety went on to announce he was having season-ending surgery to correct a back issue that has bothered him since October when he finished fifth in the season opener of the Alpine skiing World Cup in Soelden, Austria.

“I have been dealing with severe nerve pain down my left leg that has not allowed me to ski at the level that I expect of myself,” he wrote. “I have seen many doctors and therapists, undergone an array of treatments and therapies to no effect. Unfortunately surgery (microdiscectomy) means my season is over and a chance to defend my [giant slalom] title again at World Champs.”

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Ligety continued, calling the decision to end his season “tough to accept” following another injury-laden season last year, which saw the 32-year-old skier battle a knee injury suffered in January.

Ligety is hopeful the surgery, which requires a recovery of almost no movement for six weeks, will leave him better off and that he “will be back strong and fast again.”

Since finishing fifth in the event at Soelden, Ligety finished 11th in the giant slalom at Val d’Isere, France, in December, then failed to finish at all in his last two races.