Are: Bode Miller will race DH at worlds

American Bode Miller will defend his downhill title at the World Championships after all.

ARE, Sweden — American Bode Miller will defend his downhill title at the World Championships after all.
    He had considered skipping the downhill on the Olympia course, which is notorious for its big jumps. It was the same course used at last year's World Cup Finals, where Miller hurt his knee.
    "I've been conferring with the coaches and I'll be racing in all the events here. So hopefully I'll come out with a little more success than I've had in the last major championships," said Miller, who failed to win a medal at last year's Torino Olympics.
    The 29-year-old Miller said he decided to race the downhill after discussing course conditions with his coaches. But he added that he could still change his mind once he tried out the jumps during one of the mandatory training sessions or if his knee began to hurt.
    "We talked about a lot of different stuff but more than anything, the jumps are a little bit smaller, the snow is a little bit softer," Miller said. "But it's still gonna be the same, if the jumps are big or if my knee hurts or if anything feels not right, then obviously I'll pull out.
    "But now the intent is to start every race."
    At last year's Finals, racers went an average of 100 kph (62 mph), but hit speeds as high as 120 kph (75 mph). Miller, who has had knee problems in recent years, exacerbated the injury in training when he landed heavily on the top jump. He then finished second behind Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway on race day, but underwent surgery last spring to fix his meniscus.
    Miller is defending both the downhill and super G titles he won at the 2005 worlds in Bormio, Italy.

— The Associated Press