Miller withdraws from Garmisch events to focus on Olympics

GARMISCH PARTENKIRCHEN, Germnay (AFP) - US skier Bode Miller confirmed
that he will not compete in the men's World Cup downhill and Super-G
events this weekend.

The 28-year-old reigning World Cup champion said that he would prefer to
concentrate on preparations for the Winter Olympics from February 10-26,
than bidding to catch Austrian Benjamin Raich in the overall World Cup
standings.

Raich, who finished third in Tuesday's slalom in Schladming, Austria, is
solidly installed in the top position in the standings with 952 points.
Miller is sitting fourth with 688 points.

"Benjamin Raich is very strong at the moment. It doesn't make any sense
given my current form to try and catch him in the overall standings,"
explained Miller, who was eliminated in the first run on Tuesday.

Miller, who won the downhill and Super-G events in 2005, did not reveal
if he will participate in the combined and downhill at Chamonix, France
on February 3-4, the final events before the Turin Games.