updated 4:26 p.m. ET Feb. 18, 2006

SESTRIERE, Italy - Daron Rahlves’ disappointing ninth-place finish in Saturday’s Olympic men’s super-G only strengthened his determination to retire at the end of this season.

“I’m just shaking my head at the way I was skiing,” Rahlves said after a run watched by his wife Michelle and dog Chevy.

Rahlves had been a medal hopeful, but said failure to make the podium “just makes it easier to leave.”

“Days like this you just don’t want to have any more ... I’m about ready to move on,” he said.

Billed before the games as America’s brightest hopes for bringing home gold in men’s Alpine skiing, Rahlves, 32, and teammate Bode Miller have failed to make an impact. Both were upstaged by the surprise gold medalist in the men’s combined, American Ted Ligety.

Slide show   Emotional Moments Feb. 26: See photos of athletes' highs and lows from Sunday.

Rahlves’ poor performance has followed a World Cup season in which won three downhills.

“I’m mystified why he wasn’t able to put down a better result,” U.S. men’s coach Phil McNichol said. “He wasn’t skiing at the caliber that he can.”

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