Bode Miller takes Italian downhill

Bode Miller has had a tough time since breaking away from the US Ski Team. He finally broke though for his first victory of the season on Saturday on one of the toughest downhill courses on the World Cup circuit.

The coaches and staff members that Miller hired for himself this season were starting to get nervous that their gamble might not pay off.

"I think they were getting ready to kill me if I didn't win a race soon," Miller said. "They've been taking it much harder than I do. I obviously want to win and I take it tough when I make mistakes, but for them they have no control over it all, and they see the way I've been training and how much work we've put into it."

Miller in the top eight in six of his first 15 races this season.

This time, while the other favorites had trouble, Miller put down a near-perfect run and covered the 3.270km Stelvio course in 2 minutes, 0.57 seconds.

Andreas Buder of Austria was second, 0.45 seconds behind, and Jan Hudec of Canada was third, 0.54 back.

After clashing with the US federation over team rules, Miller decided to train and race on his own this season. Complying with International Ski Federation rules, he still wears a US uniform when he skis, but puts on his own jacket with his personal sponsors as soon as he takes his skis off.

The victory was the 26th of Miller's career, putting him within one win of matching Phil Mahre's US-record of 27 victories.

The three members of the U.S. team at the race -- Marco Sullivan, Steven Nyman and Scott Macartney -- each went over and congratulated Miller.

"We're all still teammates in a way," Miller said. "My points still go for the U.S. team and we've all been friends and they've had a huge contribution to my career and I think they're still invested in my success in a way. It really didn't feel much different."

Miller the fourth American to post a podium finish in the four downhills this season.