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Miller takes super-combi in France

US Bode Miller races during the men's official Slalom combined of the FIS Ski World cup, on Sunday in Val-D'Isere, France. PHOTO: AFP

Bode Miller was far from his best in the slalom portion of Sunday's World Cup super-combined, and that just may have helped the American win both the race and the discipline title.

"I was at 40 percent in the slalom," Miller said after winning in a combined time of 2 minutes, 18.45 seconds. "I know that if I'm at 100 percent in the slalom, chances are that I won't finish."

Miller went down the Face de Bellevarde course in 1:33.88 in the morning, 1.37 ahead of second-place Didier Defago of Switzerland. Most of the slalom specialists trailed by more than a second.

"I've understood that when I'm at 100 percent in the downhill, it gives me more maneuvering room over my opponents," Miller said. "I can then adjust in the slalom."

The win was Miller's 30th on the World Cup circuit and fifth this season, and it was also enough to give him his third super-combi title with 410 points. He also won that discipline in 2003 and 2004.

Ivica Kostelic of Croatia, who finished second on Sunday, 0.38 behind Miller, was also second in the super-combi standings with 256 points.

Kostelic was 2.26 seconds off the pace after the downhill leg but had the fastest time in the slalom. Croatian teammate Natko Zrncic-Dim was third.

Jean-Baptiste Grange was second in the super-combi standings before the race and the only skier who could prevent Miller from winning the discipline's crystal globe.

The Frenchman trailed Miller by 2.77 seconds after the downhill run and pushed himself in the second leg to cut the deficit. But Grange did not finish, making two mistakes in the slalom's upper section.

"I was not in a good rhythm," Grange said. "To skid off the course can happen. But it's due more to fatigue than pressure. I haven't had a day off since Jan. 1."

Grange ended up fourth in the standings with 220 points, 25 less than third-place Daniel Albrecht of Switzerland.

"I can't compete in the slalom against guys like [Julien] Lizeroux or Grange, who invest all their energy in slalom," said Miller, who also won the Bormio and Wengen downhills, the Kitzbuehel combined, and the Chamonix super-combi.

The win also increased Miller's lead in the overall World Cup standings. The American now has 1,067 points after 28 races.

Benjamin Raich of Austria is second with 945 points, and downhill leader Didier Cuche of Switzerland is next with 882.

"There are still four or five guys who can win the overall title," said Miller, who won the top trophy in 2005.

The next men's World Cup race, a slalom, is scheduled for Saturday at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
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