Maverick Miller primed for medal haul
American ski star Bode Miller believes he can make up for his Olympic nightmare in Torino four years ago by medalling in all five disciplines in Vancouver.
"I'm ready to compete for medals in all five right now," Miller said on Wednesday.
"It's going to take really good skiing, but that's no different than it usually would be. If I ski well in every event I think I can be on the podium."
For those who have followed one of skiing's biggest names, that statement might seem a million miles away from the kind Miller used to voice in 2006 when he said Olympic gold meant nothing.
In the space of a year a lot has changed for the man who grew up in rural New Hampshire with hippy parents and in a home with no electricity or running water.
Miller is now the father to a two-year-old daughter, Neesyn Dacey, and after years of flying solo on the elite World Cup circuit he has returned to the fold of the US Ski team.
Miller won Olympic silver in the combined and giant slalom at Salt Lake City in 2002, but at the Torino Games his maverick approach left him heading home empty-handed to face a huge media backlash in the US.
After beginning this season with some fast times, Miller suffered a setback in December when he injured ankle ligaments playing volleyball.
He returned to the slopes in January and claimed his first World Cup win since March 2008 just a few weeks ago in the Wengen super-combined.
Although still physically hurting, Miller believes he is coming to the boil just in time.
"I'm starting to get stronger, my skiing's coming around slowly," added Miller, who admitted he didn't panic in December despite his injury setback.
"I knew I wasn't in good shape but I knew I had time. I'm in a unique position of still going stronger. I'm psyched, I'm ready to win."
On a men's downhill course here that will likely favour the 'gliders' -- skiers who can find the best line and keep it as much as possible in order to gain precious time -- Switzerland's Didier Cuche is among the big favourites.
Miller, however, falls into the same category.
A two-time overall World Cup winner in 2005 and 2008, Olympic gold may finally be within reach.
Miller knows that all the tiny details concerning weather, equipment choices, starting bib numbers and, of course, his rivals, will also have to go in his favour.
But, asked if he can win gold, he said it would only be enjoyable if he could do so in his own way.
"It depends on the manner of accomplishing that goal of earning the gold medal. It's something I've talked about a lot, and it's one of the reasons I came back this season," he added.
"But one of the things that's most important to me about skiing is racing for the pure enjoyment of racing fast and not getting too tangled up in the results and outcomes.
"Obviously you always want to win, but you want to win a race that you're proud of and you feel like you've challenged yourself and left it all out there."
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Maverick Miller primed for medal haul
