“I Was Not Trying to Keep it a Secret”

Bode Miller announced on a Web site he has a 1-year-old daughter, and took her to Disneyland during his break from the World Cup ski circuit.

The 31-year-old American confirmed reports that emerged in Austria this week.

"I was not trying to keep it a secret. If someone asked, I would talk about it but no one ever really brought it up," Miller wrote on his journal on Universalsports.com Friday. "I don't mind sharing a little bit but I like to keep my private life private for the most part.

"My daughter's name is Neesyn Dacey but everyone calls her Dacey. Her mom chose Neesyn and I chose Dacey after she was born. The mother is a good friend of mine who I was seeing a while ago. We are no longer together."

Dacey's first birthday was Thursday, and Miller said he spent the day with her at Disneyland.

"It was really cool. My sister has three kids so I've spent a lot of time around children and I've always really liked them and wanted my own," Miller wrote. "It's cool because you think all babies are the same but they aren't at all. They all have such different personalities. It's crazy. It's really fun to hang out with Dacey when she's this age."

Miller is skipping two World Cup races this weekend in Sestriere, Italy. Miller announced he would take a rare midseason break on Feb. 15, after he failed to medal at the World Championships in Val d'Isere, France. It marked his third consecutive major championship without a medal.

"Dacey was definitely a big factor in why I decided to take a break from the World Cup," he said. "It's tough being away. It's tough to stay focused and perform well when you are constantly feeling like you wish you were somewhere else."

Miller also said he needed to recharge before heading back to World Cup competition.

"I feel like I've done it so many times I've become desensitized," he said. "The fire goes away after a while. And sometimes I want other things."

Miller plans to return to the ski circuit next week in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, then travel to Norway the following week.

"My plan right now is to return for Slovenia but things could obviously change," he said. "I'm testing some new skis. If that works out, then I'll be psyched. I may skip Slovenia and get fired up for Norway and World Cup finals if testing doesn't yield the results we want."