Bode Miller won a World Cup super-combined event on the Lauberhorn
course for his first victory since March 2008.
The American completed his slalom run in 49.05 seconds after
leading the morning downhill for a combined time of 2 minutes,
35.96 seconds.
Carlo Janka of Switzerland was 0.37 back in second, and Swiss
teammate Silvan Zurbriggen trailed Miller by 0.42 in third.
Miller, who won his 32nd career World Cup race less than one
month before the Vancouver Olympics open, missed much of the
offseason while he considered retiring and had to skip recent races
to rest an injured right ankle.
The 32-year-old American promised to go all out for victory
after an impressive downhill run gave him a 0.69 cushion on Janka,
who won the Wengen super-combi last year. He also revealed that
skiing aggressively gives him the least pain in the technically
demanding slalom discipline.
Miller skied without major errors, then turned to look up at
the race clock and giant screen for several seconds after crossing
the finish line. He tapped his ski poles behind his back in a small
gesture of satisfaction before spinning to face the crowd.
He stood still for several seconds more as if savoring the
moment, then was greeted by a grinning Zurbriggen, who heartily
grabbed Miller's fist before Janka offered his congratulations.
Miller last won a World Cup race in a downhill in Kvitfjell,
Norway. He last finished on the podium as runner-up in the classic
Lauberhorn downhill exactly one year ago. He won the race in 2007
and '08 and will be one of the favorites on Saturday.
Benjamin Raich, who placed fourth Friday, maintained his lead
in the overall World Cup standings. The 31-year-old Austrian holds
a 32-point lead over Janka.
Ted Ligety of the United States placed fifth, 1.27 behind
Miller and is seventh overall with 362 points. Miller moved up to
ninth place with 318 points.
