VAL D’ISERE, France — Bode Miller was far from his best in the slalom portion of Sunday’s World Cup super-combi, and that might be why the American won both the race and clinched the discipline title.
“I was at 40 percent in the slalom,” Miller said after winning in a combined time of 2 minutes, 18.45 seconds. “I know that if I’m at 100 percent in the slalom, chances are that I won’t finish.”
Miller skied the downhill leg in 1:33.88 in the morning, 1.37 seconds faster than second-place Didier Defago of Switzerland. Most slalom specialists trailed by more than a second.
“I’ve understood that when I’m at 100 percent in the downhill, it gives me more maneuvering room over my opponents,” Miller said. “I can then adjust in the slalom.”
Miller’s 30th win on the World Cup circuit, and fifth this season, was enough to give him his third super-combi title with 410 points. He won the discipline in 2003 and 2004. The win also increased Miller’s lead in the overall standings.
“There are still four or five guys who can win the overall title,” said Miller, who won the top trophy in 2005.
Miller has 1,067 points after 28 races. Benjamin Raich of Austria is second with 945, and downhill leader Didier Cuche of Switzerland is next with 882.
