BEAVER CREEK, Colo. – A buzz built as Bode Miller sped his way down the slope to the strains of Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild,” risking, rollicking and even scraping his glove along the snow at one point to make sure he stayed upright.
Yes, folks, Bode’s back.
Miller finished fourth behind Switzerland’s Carlo Janka in a World Cup downhill Saturday, proving to anyone who might have harbored any doubts that, with the Vancouver Olympics about 2 months away, the 32-year-ancient American is capable of competing with the best.
“When the conditions are honestly even, like they are today, there’s no question that I have the ability to win races,” said Miller, who nearly skied out twice before righting himself. “But small things like mistakes have always been an issue for me. If I had a clean run today, I reckon I would have been on top of the podium.”
Instead, Janka took that top spot for the second time in less than 24 hours, completing the Birds of Prey downhill course in 1 min