Bode wins again

Miller claims gold in giant slalom at worlds

Bode Miller had a winning aggregate time of two minutes, 45.93 seconds. AP

ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (AP) -- Bode Miller rallied to win the giant slalom Wednesday, becoming the first American man to win three medals in a world championship and the first to capture two golds.

Erik Schlopy added to an outstanding day for the United States by winning the bronze medal. This marked the first time American men had two skiers among the top three at a world championship.

"Two podiums for Americans -- we've been waiting for this a long time and for it to happen at the world championship is amazing," said Miller, who also won the combined and shared the silver in the super giant slalom.

Hans Knauss of Austria won the silver medal Wednesday.

Miller was fourth after the first run and Schlopy 22nd, but both surged down the sun-drenched Engiadina course in the second leg.

"I am just enjoying it," said Miller, who was exhausted after crossing the finish line of a long course. "Today was really tough and really special, to see Erik ski the way he can."

Added Schlopy: "I must thank Bode, he motivates me."

"I thought he'd win a medal and so I had to win a medal too."

Miller had a winning aggregate time of two minutes, 45.93 seconds for the two runs, beating Knauss by 0.03 seconds. Schlopy was 0.04 behind Miller, losing the silver by just 1/100th.

"It was so close," Miller said. "You've got to think that maybe just my shears got me through. Hans skied amazingly well today, he showed he's one of the best."

Schlopy led the race until Miller's run.

Defending champion and World Cup leader in the event, Michael von Gruenigen of Switzerland, third after the first run, came after Miller and dropped behind. So did Benjamin Raich of Austria, second after the first heat.

Only first-run leader Knauss managed to squeeze himself between the two Americans.

Ales Gorza of Slovenia, another surprise, finished fourth. Aksel-Lund Svindal of Norway was fifth, Kalle Palander of Finland sixth and von Gruenigen seventh.

The Americans have six medals with three races left in the championship, one behind Austria.

Miller has contributed three medals to the American haul.

"They are going to sit there and wait for friends to join them," Miller said of his medals. "I am starting quite a collection in my room right now."

The 25-year-old from Franconia, New Hampshire became the first American to win the giant slalom world title since Steve Mahre in 1982.

In Val d'Isere, France, last season, Miller became the first American skier to win a World Cup giant slalom since Phil Mahre in 1983. The next day, in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, he won a slalom, the first to do so since Steve Mahre that same season.

At the Olympics last winter, Miller gave the United States its first Olympic medal in the giant slalom as well as another silver in the combined, ending an eight-year medal drought for the U.S. men's Alpine skiers.

Christin Cooper, a commentator for NBC at this event, earned two silvers and a bronze at the 1982 championship in Schladming, Austria.

Schlopy, 30, of Park City, Utah, has never won a World Cup race and his best results are a pair of second places in 2001.

"My second run was a dream. I had nothing to lose after the first heat,"

 

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