Bode Miller posts first win of season

ALTA BADIA, Italy, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- American Bode Miller won a giant slalom race Sunday for his first World Cup win of the season.

Miller had the fastest time in the first leg and waited while his challengers were unable to catch up in the second run. He was the last skier to start the second leg and finished the day with a combined time of 2 minutes, 33.81 seconds for his fifth career World Cup win.

The victory continues a strong start for Miller, who was second to Switzerland's Michael Von Gruenigen in the giant slalom last week in Val d'Isere, France.

Davide Simoncelli of Italy was second, 1.06 seconds off the pace, and settled with the first top-three finish of his career.

Christian Mayer of Austria was third, 1.07 seconds behind the leader.

Alberto Schieppati of Italy had the fourth-fastest time in the first leg, but saw his chances of a podium finish end when he crashed near the end of his second run.

Fredrik Nyberg of Sweden crashed into a safety net on his second run and was taken to a hosptial. Von Gruenigan was 14th Sunday.