KITZBUEHEL, Austria -- Bode Miller finally had something to cheer about Sunday at the traditional Hahnenkamm World Cup races.
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Earlier this week, he accused organizers of making the famous Streif downhill course much bumpier and dangerous than it already was. He also criticized organizers for disrespecting the 68-year-old history of the event by changing the slalom course.
But on Sunday, Miller won the combined title for the slalom and Saturday's downhill, which means he is now the most successful American skier ever with 28 World Cup wins, overtaking Phil Mahre.
"It's a nice record, something you dream about as a kid," the 30-year-old Miller said. "As a professional skier, you're more focused on winning each individual race. Before the season, it was my target to break that record, and it's a really good feeling if you reach your goals."
Jean-Baptiste Grange earned his fourth win of the season in the slalom race. The 27-year-old Grange, who led after the first leg, finished in a two-run combined time of 1 minute, 45.04 seconds.
The Frenchman edged Jens Byggmark, who was fourth after the opening run, by 0.15 seconds. Mario Matt took third, trailing Grange by 0.52 seconds.
Miller finished 14th in the slalom after taking second in the downhill, which earned him the classic combined title at the Hahnenkamm races.
Benjamin Raich was second in the combined and went back to the top of the overall World Cup standings, leading Miller by 29 points.
Miller wants to improve on his technique.
"I have made too many errors," he said. "But when you look at my split times at the Super-G and the downhill, you see that I should have won them both."
He had praise for Grange.
"Just incredible, he is the best slalom skier I've seen for many years," Miller said.
Grange was not flawless in the first section of his second run and lost his 0.33-second advantage to Byggmark. In the lower part, Grange accelerated for a strong finish.
