Miller’s top status down toilet

Sun., Feb. 13, 2005

Associated Press

BORMIO, Italy — Bode Miller first lost two gold medals, then a ski in the downhill. On Saturday, he lost his status as the premier skier at the world championships.

Austrian Benjamin Raich took the honors, becoming the most decorated male skier of the championships after putting together two brilliant slalom runs on the rapidly deteriorating Stelvio course to win his second gold medal and fourth overall.

Raich also won gold in the combined last week, took silver in the giant slalom and bronze in the super giant slalom.

Miller began the championship in spectacular fashion, winning the downhill and super-G. But in the combined, he lost a ski 15 seconds into the downhill.

He also grabbed headlines for revealing that he lost his 2003 combined gold medal after using it as a toilet seat anchor, then had his super-G gold from this year stolen hours after his victory, during celebrations in the USA events house.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Miller’s top status down toilet

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

New: Dominique Malonga embodies Storm’s plan for ‘positionless’ basketball | Commentary

Pac-12 transfer tracker: Keeping up with portal moves, transactions for all nine teams

OU quarterbacks coach John Kuceyeski helping John Mateer refine mechanics in spring ball