SKIING - WORLD CUP
Bode Miller primed for victory
Sunday, January 27, 2008
American Bode Miller outclassed rivals in the downhill section of the men's super-combined in Chamonix on Sunday, thereby boosting his chances of claiming victory in the two-discipline event as well as overall leadership in the World Cup.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
By AFP
American Bode Miller dominated the downhill section of the men's World Cup super-combined to boost his chances of claiming victory, and the overall World Cup lead, in Chamonix on Sunday.
Miller, who finished a disappointing seventh in the downhill on Saturday, won by compatriot Marco Sullivan, clocked 1min 41.70secs for the shortened downhill section of the two-discipline event.
Several of his rivals for the super-combined, including Rainer Schoenfelder, Ivica Kostelic, Benjamin Raich and Daniel Albrecht, finished well off the pace as the 30-year-old American tore his way down the Verte des Houches run.
Croatian all-rounder Kostelic finished at 1.48sec off Miller's pace, Albrecht at 1.69, Schoenfelder at 1.98 and Raich at a massive 3.13.
French slalom sensation Jean-Baptiste Grange also has a mountain to climb if he is to overcome Miller, and indeed his fellow rivals, in the deciding slalom having trailed the American by 3.33 in the downhill run.
All will be hoping that Miller has an off-day in the slalom, an event which has illustrated more than most the erratic side to his maverick skiing style.
Ahead of the 1300 GMT slalom, Miller trails Austrian ace Raich by 25 points in the overall World Cup standings. Speed specialist Didier Cuche is second overall at 18 points behind the Austrian.
In the event of victory, Miller would also reinforce his lead in the World Cup combined standings, in which he leads Albrecht by 30 points. A win is worth 100 points, second place 80, third place 60 and so on.
The combined times from both events decide the winner.
Miller, who finished a disappointing seventh in the downhill on Saturday, won by compatriot Marco Sullivan, clocked 1min 41.70secs for the shortened downhill section of the two-discipline event.
Several of his rivals for the super-combined, including Rainer Schoenfelder, Ivica Kostelic, Benjamin Raich and Daniel Albrecht, finished well off the pace as the 30-year-old American tore his way down the Verte des Houches run.
Croatian all-rounder Kostelic finished at 1.48sec off Miller's pace, Albrecht at 1.69, Schoenfelder at 1.98 and Raich at a massive 3.13.
French slalom sensation Jean-Baptiste Grange also has a mountain to climb if he is to overcome Miller, and indeed his fellow rivals, in the deciding slalom having trailed the American by 3.33 in the downhill run.
All will be hoping that Miller has an off-day in the slalom, an event which has illustrated more than most the erratic side to his maverick skiing style.
Ahead of the 1300 GMT slalom, Miller trails Austrian ace Raich by 25 points in the overall World Cup standings. Speed specialist Didier Cuche is second overall at 18 points behind the Austrian.
In the event of victory, Miller would also reinforce his lead in the World Cup combined standings, in which he leads Albrecht by 30 points. A win is worth 100 points, second place 80, third place 60 and so on.
The combined times from both events decide the winner.
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