Beaver Creek: Rahlves, Miller pack 1-2 American punch at Birds of Prey downhill{mosimage}Daron Rahlves dazzled the home crowd and Bode Miller was right behind as the potent American tandem placed 1-2 in the Birds of Prey downhill at Beaver Creek, Colorado, on Friday.

Rahlves scorched down the shortened Bernhard Russi-designed course in 1 minute, 13.37 seconds, with defending overall champ Miller second in 1:13.64. Austrian Hans Grugger rounded out the podium with a time of 1:13.71, with countryman Fritz Strobl fourth.

It was the XX career win for Rahlves, and the results boosted both him and Miller back into the race for the season's overall championship. Rahlves was xx in Thursday's super G, but Miller had struggled in his three previous races, finishing xx Thursday and xx and xx in Lake Louise speed races.

Last season,

Canadian Erik Guay continued his stellar racing, finishing sixth. Defending downhill champ Michael Walchhofer of Austria was 10th, and Hermann Maier skied into 16th.