ADELBODEN, Switzerland - Downhill world champion Patrick Kueng has ended his World Cup season early because of a persistent knee injury.

Kueng says he will focus on being ready for next season, and defending his world title on home snow in St. Moritz.

Kueng, who turns 32 on Monday, damaged the patellar tendon in his left knee during training in July. He returned to start six World Cup races this season. His best finish was ninth in downhill last month in Beaver Creek, Colorado, where he won gold at the world championships last February.

Kueng's decision comes one week before the classic Swiss downhill race in Wengen, which he won in 2014.