Janka wins super-combi; Miller skis off course

The Associated Press
Published: January 16, 2009

WENGEN, Switzerland: Carlo Janka of Switzerland won a World Cup super-combi on Friday, while Bode Miller skied off the course at the bottom half of his slalom run.

Janka finished in 47.01 seconds in the slalom for a combined 2 minutes, 34.16 seconds after the downhill. He also won a giant slalom last month at Val D'Isere, France.

Miller was sixth after the downhill before he veered off course. The 31-year-old American recovered from a big mistake on his slalom run to lead by 0.21 at the halfway mark.

But his right ski slid away from him down the hill after a left gate and he could not recover. He did not speak with reporters at the finish area.

Miller, the reigning World Cup champion, hasn't won in 18 events this season. He's 11th in the overall standings with 305 points.

Peter Fill of Italy was second and Silvan Zurbriggen of Switzerland was third.

Overall leader Benjamin Raich of Austria (593 points) was seventh and extended his advantage over Jean-Baptiste Grange (536). Grange, the super-combi winner in Wengen last year, finished ninth.

Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway is third overall (502) after finishing eighth.

Janka said his season began with a runner-up finish in the downhill at Lake Louise, Canada.

"My second place in Lake Louise started something," Janka said through an interpreter. "I started skiing well in all disciplines. I just hope I can keep it going."

Janka rose to fifth in the overall standings with 466 points, despite not competing in slalom events.

Miller showed his determination to do well this weekend by hiring a helicopter Thursday for extra slalom practice in the next valley. He flew to Veysonnaz in the Swiss Valais region to find a slope that resembles the slalom course at Wengen.

Miller will line up as one of the favorites for Saturday's downhill after winning at Wengen the past two years. The meet ends with a two-run slalom on Sunday.

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