Rocca Wins Slalom; Miller Third

CHAMONIX, France, Jan. 11, 2004 (AP by Samuel Petrequin) — Italy’s Giorgio Rocca captured a World Cup slalom Sunday in which Bode Miller showed some of his old form by finishing third.

Rocca skied a faultless second run and was timed in 1 minute, 29.09 seconds for the third World Cup slalom victory of his career. France’s Pierrick Bourgeat was second in 1:29.17.

“My coach told me to attack like a maniac on the second run,” Rocca said. “That’s what I did and it worked.”

Miller completed the course in 1:29.52. The American won the season’s opening combined race, with his times from Saturday’s downhill added to those from Sunday’s slalom. He also advanced from 10th place to fourth in the overall World Cup standings.

Until Sunday, Miller had not scored points in a slalom since the end of last February when he was sixth in South Korea. He had failed to finish many slaloms, struggling with equipment and execution.

Rocca jumped to the top of the slalom standings with 290 points after four races. Austria’s Manfred Pranger is second with 240.

Finland’s Kalle Palander, who was 16th Sunday, is third with 215 and Schoenfelder is fourth with 170.

Austria’s Rainer Schoenfelder finished fourth after posting fastest first leg. French Olympic slalom champion Jean-Pierre Vidal was fifth.

Also for the United States, Chip Knight was 19th and Tom Rothrock was 20th.

Norway’s Tom Stiansen was the only racer not to complete the second run.

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