Bode Miller discusses his skis, the World Cup overall and Kerry for president

By Published On: October 8th, 2004Comments Off on Bode Miller discusses his skis, the World Cup overall and Kerry for president

Bode Miller discusses his skis, the World Cup overall and Kerry for presidentVIENNA – Bode Miller warned Thursday that Norwegian skiers Lasse Kjus and Kjetil Andre Aamodt also were fierce challengers World Cup overall. Miller, speaking in Austria’s capital at an Atomic-sponsored autograph session, confirmed he was “confident to challenge overall title holder Hermann Maier”, but added “don’t forget the Norwegians.”

“Kjus and Aamodt were handicapped with injuries last year, but they still know how to ski well,” Miller warned off reducing the battle for overall victory to a duel between him and his new ski brand team mate Hermann Maier. Multiple world and Olympic champion alpine skiers Kjetil Andre Aamodt and Lasse Kjus will make their comebacks after injuries spoiled their last season.

Aamodt who has the all-time record in alpine medals for both the world championships (12) and the Olympics (7), broke his ankle and tore ligaments last October while training in Austria. Kjus, with five Olympic medals, including a gold and 10 world championships, injured his knee during a downhill race in late January and required surgery that ended his season.

Nonetheless, Miller was certain that his chances were much better this season than last, also thanks to his new material. “My new skis are great. I can take less risk and am still as fast. If you count out my crashes I would have won a lot more races in the past three seasons,” Miller presented himself pugnaciously.

The 27-year-old American appeared delighted about “the incredible speed difference of my new material. I was about 1.5 seconds faster on the slopes in Chile than my teammate Daron Rahlves…And that despite making a couple of mistakes,” he added. While his main rival Hermann Maier is fighting a back injury and ski boot woes, Miller claimed, he was close to top form.

“Many see Soelden as a warm-up test. That’s an advantage for me, because to me it is the opener and I want to start there 100 per cent prepared and win it.” After racing in Soelden Miller return home to the U.S. and vote for John Kerry at the elections. “I honestly hope he will win,” Miller said.-AP

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