Bode Miller Delivers

The first training day at Beaver Creek couldn’t have been more perfect: Blazing sunshine, perfect snow (especially considering the recent, ever-changing weather), and buoyant spirits. Bode Miller was especially content, as he laid down a solid run and led the field of 96 athletes

The first training day at Beaver Creek couldn’t have been more perfect: Blazing sunshine, perfect snow (especially considering the recent, ever-changing weather), and buoyant spirits. Bode Miller was especially content, as he laid down a solid run and led the field of 96 athletes. He took some time out for the press to dish about Beaver Creek, Lake Louise and the Hermanator. Here’s what he had to say:

On his performance at Lake Louise: “The course is so easy, so even a small variation in the weather can separate the field. Worse weather, worse win. It doesn’t matter how good you are. It can be a matter of where you start. If I look back, I was happy with how I skied. I skied well. There was nothing I could do with the weather, and it was easier for some of the earlier guys. They skied well, and also had the advantage of the weather.”

On Herman Maier: “I’m one of the Herman supporters. I don’t have any question that he can win races. You have to remember you’re talking about Herman Maier. He’s been the most dominant racer of my generation.

I think his biggest asset is his mind. It was his mind. Now, I think it’s a natural progression that as you get older, you lose some of the desire to push the envelope. When Herman was in the start house years ago, he was demanding that he do something so far ahead of what anyone else was trying to do. So, even if he did 80%, he was miles ahead of everyone else. He wasn’t shy about making mistakes. His confidence in his ability was huge."

On his run down the Beaver Creek course:  “It’s a steep turny pitch. If you want to go easy you’ll end up sliding sideways. I wasn’t pushing the line very much, but the turns were fairly clean. It was pretty basic, pretty easy. I was pretty tall through a lot of it—not really aerodynamic in the middle. But I know this hill pretty well so there aren’t any big surprises. I was just trying to feel the snow and feel where I’m going to move the line.

It’s a busy week for me. But this is one of my favorite hills. It’s a pleasure to ski it anytime. It’s hard for me to back off on a day like today, because you never know how many times you’ll get to ski this hill. I skied normal today and I plan on doing the same all week. I try to get the most out of this hill.”