Miller Says Cuche Won Without Attacking

A dejected Bode Miller blamed his mediocre display in Wednesday's world championship super-G on a difficult piste and said Swiss Didier Cuche had won with a "conservative" approach.

"I don't want to take it away from Cuche. He's the super-G world champion by (almost) a second," the outspoken American told reporters after finishing 12th, 2.43 seconds off the pace.

"But I didn't have the impression he was on the attack. He skied conservatively," added Miller, who won one of his four world titles in a super-G in Bormio in 2005.

The Bellevarde piste where the men's events are taking place has been the subject of controversy since it was used for the first time at the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics.

"I think it's unfortunate you should have a slope so steep and so unique at the world championships," said Miller, who has not won a race this season.

"I would have hoped to see a piste on which there was a full attack from everyone and the fastest man wins. Here you had to be always on the brakes."

Miller won a super-combined on the same course last year but he said Wednesday's conditions made it tough to make the right choices, the top part of the mountain being covered with fresh, soft snow while the bottom part was icy.

"The bottom section is so glossy. Unfortunately we did not have the chance to ski on an icy piste this season and very few skiers were able to find the right set-up," he said.

Downhill world champion in Bormio, Miller said he did not rate his chances high in that discipline on Saturday.

"It'll be exactly the same in the downhill," he said.