BEAVER CREEK — When the world’s best racers go to the starting gate today for the Birds of Prey downhill, only four will be older than Bode Miller.
And two of them are his age: 34.
The one-time wild child of the U.S. Ski Team is beginning his 15th season on the World Cup, still throwing himself down mountains with passion, attitude and remarkable athletic ability that has carried him to 32 World Cup wins, 71 podium appearances, five Olympic medals and five world championships medals.
Of those likely to race today, only Patrik Jaerbyn of Sweden (42) and Didier Cuche of Switzerland (37) are older than 34.
“I think he still has the passion about the sport, like I do,” Cuche said. “That’s why he’s still here and fighting hard to be the fastest.”
Aksel Lund Svindal, a two-time World Cup overall winner from Norway, said Miller seems relaxed and seems to enjoy the tour.
“If I was him, he’s an awesome skier, I wouldn’t stop skiing,” Svindal said. “He looks like he’s enjoying doing what he does.”
Miller has a 3-year-old daughter whom he doesn’t discuss publicly, but one person close to Miller thinks she’s a big reason he’s still motivated.
“I think his daughter inspires him, and I think he sees the hourglass wearing out on his ski career,” said Mike Kenney, Miller’s uncle and a ski team assistant coach. “He wants to give it a last good shot, authentically, with a good heart.”
Miller still has the attitude of a contrarian, quick to be sarcastic and dismissive. When asked after Wednesday’s run if he could talk about his frame of mind coming into the Beaver Creek races, Miller said no and turned his back on reporters.
But that was after he discussed World Cup politics in some detail. He was involved this week in decisions to make changes in the Birds of Prey course to address safety concerns, serving as an “athlete representative.” Afterward, World Cup officials praised him for how “professional” he was in the process.
Miller dismissed the compliment.
“It’s a really old, traditional tactic of downplaying an opponent in a negotiation scheme — give them a little bit of power, give us an athlete rep,” Miller said. “That does zero, especially if it’s someone like myself. They pump my tires, or the athletes’ tires, admiring how well it works and how awesome and smooth everything is.”
Since winning his second World Cup overall title in 2008, Miller hasn’t finished a season in the top 10. He has only one World Cup win since then, a super-combined victory in 2010. But that February he won three medals at the Vancouver Olympics.
He’s no longer the star of the U.S. men’s team. Ted Ligety has taken over that role, winning three of the last four World Cup giant slalom titles and beginning to talk about targeting the World Cup overall. Miller has finished ninth in all three World Cup races this season, a giant slalom, a downhill and a super-G.
Miller has won downhills here, but they were in 2004 and 2006.
Still, considering what a grind the World Cup tour is — 45 races in 12 countries from October through March — he wouldn’t be back if he didn’t enjoy racing.
“If his equipment’s good and he’s excited,” Kenney said, “athletics thrills him.”
John Meyer: 303-954-1616 or jmeyer@denverpost.com
Schedule
Today: Downhill, 11 a.m.
Saturday: super-G, 11 a.m.
Sunday: giant slalom, 9:45 a.m. and 12:45 a.m.
Times subject to change
