Miller back in Slalom

It was long, long drought that would have swayed many other racers to lose heart, but not Bode Miller. For the first time since 2004 Miller found his way back to the slalom podium in the year’s first slalom at Levi, coming in second behind slalom phenom J.B. Grange and ahead of Austria’s Mario Matt.
Starting bib 31, it was apparent as Miller came over the first break over onto the pitch that he was back. The biggest difference: the skis. Miller’s tactics had not changed tremendously from last year or even the year before, but it seems Head has finally come up with something that will handle Miller’s attacking style. Word has it Miller is also in tip-top shape, which allows him to physically pull off the dead straight line he skis.
Fellow American Ted Ligety was one one-hundredth of a second ahead of Miller in the first run, but Ligety shot out of the course during the second at a problem gate that also claimed Austrians Reinfred Herbst and Benni Raich.
Jimmy Cochran also went out early in run two after he finished the first in 14th place. Interestingly, Cochran clocked the 60th fastest time on the top flat in run one, then catapulted to third fastest, tied with Grange and behind Miller and Ligety, on the steep.
Miller’s second-place finish brings his slalom podium tally to 12 and Levi was the first since 2004 when he had four top-three results, including 2 wins.

An example of Miller's direct style as he breaks over near the finish line at Levi.

The race in Levi also saw a greater than normal number of skiers from outside the top 30 make into the second run. Eleven total racers (average age 25) hammered from the back of the pack, while only 2 who started inside the top 30 DNFed. That means the conditions were good and the course held up well on the injected slope. Mattias Hargin, a Swedish Nordica athlete, moved from start position 47 to 7th overall, while Mitja Valencic of Slovenia started 59th and finished 9th on his new Fischers.