BEAVER CREEK — Bode Miller picked up his first World Cup win since January 2010 here today, winning the Birds of Prey downhill with a spectacular exhibition of high-risk, high-reward skiing on one of the tour’s most technical courses.
It was Miller’s third downhill win on the Birds of Prey. Miller previously won here in 2004 and 2006.
“I came across the line and I was happy, there’s not much more I could really do up there today,” Miller said. “I took as aggressive a line as I’ve ever skied here, and almost error-free, so I was really happy and satisfied.”
Beat Feuz of Switzerland was second and Klaus Kroell of Austria finished third. Ted Ligety, a giant slalom specialist, was the second American finisher in 22nd.
With his 3-year-old daughter in the finish, Miller took an extremely aggressive and risky approach to the highly technical steep sections at the top of the course, slapping several gates while taking an outrageously tight line.
“I was really nervous at the start today,” said Miller, 34. “Everyone was nervous, just because they know when I’m really trying to win here, the risk you take is serious risk. It’s not a joke. I’m doing stuff, seven out of 10 times it doesn’t work, and you end up flipping sideways into the fence. That’s a real thing I have to deal with in the start. It’s scary.”
It was Miller’s 33rd World Cup victory.
“I’ve never skied that course with that kind of risk before,” Miller said. “It’s a pleasure to get to the finish and be safe. It’s amazing when you get to the finish, but at the start it’s miserable.”
John Meyer: 303-954-1616 or jmeyer@denverpost.com
