CHAMONIX, France (Feb. 3) - Bode Miller (Franconia, NH) came within .01 of victory in the first of two Audi FIS Alpine World Cup downhills in Chamonix as Klaus Kroell snagged the first Austrian speed win of the season. Swiss Didier Cuche finished third to snap a two-race win streak, but retained the World Cup downhill points lead as Erik Fisher (Middleton, ID) and Travis Ganong (Squaw Valley, CA) stormed into the top 15.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Bode Miller was second in the first of two Chamonix downhills by .01
- It was Miller's fourth World Cup podium this season
- Klaus Kroell won for Austria's first downhill victory this season
- Swiss Didier Cuche was third to snap a two-race win streak
- Erik Fisher was 12th and Travis Ganong 13th
- It was Fisher's best result since Jan. 24, 2009 (11th, Kitzbuehel downhill)
- Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA) was 27th and Wiley Maple (Aspen, CO) 38th
- The race was a make-up from the wind canceled downhill in Val Gardena, Italy
- A second downhill is scheduled for Saturday in Chamonix
QUOTES
Bode Miller
It's tough. There's so many places where a hundredth can come or go. I didn't really have a great reach for the finish line, which I always try to do well. That's the worst place to lose it, right out of the start or right at the finish line.
Because everyone's so close together with the ability, and the courses seem to be easier - they're slower - there's less things that separate the field. A lot of these races are unbelievable close. That's a challenge in itself to really make sure that you stay focused and pay attention to the things that matter.
It didn't really feel exactly like my skis were running that well. I knew I got away with a lot of stuff at the top so I knew I'd be fast up there, but once I was on that bottom flat I kind of felt like I was losing.
It was really wet, kind of weird snow and when you hit that stuff, the skis go all over the place. It's kind of hard to tell what they're doing.
Sasha Rearick, men's Head Coach
Bode [Miller] skied amazing on the top. It was just awesome skiing. It will be interesting to see everyone else try that line tomorrow.
He also executed through the middle, which is definitely not his forte - the gliding and micro terrain - but he did a good job. He came out and charged.
[Erik] Fisher has had a great approach the last couple of weeks. He was out slalom training yesterday and has been skiing GS every morning. He executed some things really well today and it's good to see that momentum.
Step-by-step Travis [Ganong] is getting more comfortable and looking for his tuck more. He tucked a lot more today than he has in the past and it's starting to pay off.
I saw all the guys skiing with confidence and that's put them in a position to be competitive. It's great to have another downhill tomorrow for us to continue to build.
TV
Universal Sports will air the race at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET
OFFICIAL RESULTS
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