Bode Miller became the first American skier to claim the gold medal in the men's downhill at the world championships in Bormio, Italy on Saturday. Miller adds the title to the super-G crown he won last weekend.
Miller finished with a time of one minute and 56.22 seconds, 44/100ths of a second ahead of countryman Daron Rahlves. Former world champion Michael Walchhofer of Austria took the bronze medal, 87/100ths back.
Miller, who is the overall World Cup leader, started his career as a slalom and giant slalom specialist. He reached the level of the top speed skiers this season, winning two World Cup downhill events to start the season.
The American still has a chance for three more medals - in the giant slalom, slalom and new team event that will conclude the championships on February 13.
Meanwhile, American Jeret Peterson won the international ski federation's 2005 Freestyle World Cup aerials meet in Shenyang, China, while home-country aerialist Guo Xinxin took the women's event.
Peterson received 247.3 points Saturday to secure his victory. Canadian Steve Omischl took second place (242.52) and China's Han Xiaopeng was third (232.40).
Guo received 192.99 points to top the women. Nina Li of China took second place (187.61), edging out Australian Lydia Ierodiaconou, who was third (187.25).
With the victory, Peterson continues to dominate the standings with 534 points from eight events. Ryan St. Onge of the United States is second with 363, while Omischl is third with 350.
Li still leads the women's standings with 645 points, closely followed Ierodiaconou with 625, while Guo has 329 for third place.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.
