GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP) _ After a triumphant campaign at the world championships, Bode Miller had a jarring comeback to everyday life on the World Cup circuit. Hoping to continue his winning ways after grabbing two
golds and a silver in St. Moritz, Miller instead found himself lagging back in 28th in Saturday's downhill, before veering off course in Sunday's super-G, a discipline he
finally seemed to have mastered.
Miller had arrived at the German resort boosted by his three world medals and trailing Stephan Eberharter by a tiny five points in the chase for the overall World Cup title.
Taking world gold in the giant slalom and combined, Miller appeared to have also successfully forayed into the speed events, tying for second place with the almighty Hermann Maier behind Eberharter in the super-G.
But going from an easy field-evening course in St. Moritz to one of the great classics, which skiers unanimously described as the toughest course this season, was a tough
test for Miller. And his poor showing, combined Eberharter's brilliant results this weekend, has proven costly for the American.
Eberharter picked up 180 points over two days. The experience of a true speed specialist with rock-solid technique prevailed on the arduous, near bulletproof
Kandahar course, winning him the downhill and earning him second place behind Marco Buechel of Liechtenstein in the super-G.
"It's been an unbelievable weekend for me," Eberharter said. "I scored 180 points so I'm more than satisfied.
"Even though I don't think about the overall when I'm racing, when you count the total at the end, I'm almost 200 points ahead of Bode. It's a good position to be in.
"The World Cup is not yet decided. I guess we will have to wait the last races to know the overall winner."
As a result, Miller heads to the races in Asia trailing Eberharter by 185 points.
But traditionally a technical specialist, Miller can take hope in the fact there are six gate races left this season and just two speed events.
Next week, the World Cup circuit travels to the Far East for four technical races, beginning with a giant slalom and a slalom in Yong Pyong, South Korea, then another slalom and giant slalom in Shiga Kogen, Japan, before returning to Europe. The finals are in Lillehammer, Norway, the site of the 1994 Winter Olympics.
"There are more technical events than speed events," Miller said. "But going to Korea will be key in catching Eberharter.
"The circuit moving to Asia favors North Americans who are used to traveling. It's an advantage for us. In Europe, they're not used to going far or for long periods of
time." But Miller will need to turn around a dismal year in the slalom, what used to be his best discipline.
This season, he finished on the podium only once in the slalom, a second place in Bormio. Other than that, he crashed out or went off course four times, and twice
finished out of the top-10. "I've got to go really well in the slalom," acknowledged
Miller. "But in the end, I just need to think about skiing well in the race. I'm not thinking about points. The points take care of themselves."

AP, 24.02.2003