Miller clinches super-G Cup title

LENZERHEIDE, Switzerland – Bode Miller is known for abusing his trophies. He’s lost some to thieves and carelessness, smashed one to pieces and even used a gold medal to fix a faulty toilet.

This time, Miller says, it will be different.

The 29-year-old American clinched his second World Cup super-G title Thursday with a fourth-place finish in the event’s season finale. It is his sole piece of hardware from a trying season, and he promised to not let anything happen to the 7 1/2-pound crystal globe.

“The overall they just give it to you in a mesh carry-on bag. That was the problem. It’s weird,” Miller said, pointing to the gray metal case in which his latest trophy was safely ensconced. “But all the discipline titles you get a case for. That one won’t break in there.”

On this same mountain two years ago, Miller won his first super-G title as well as the overall crown – Alpine skiing’s most meaningful award. To get the fragile 20-pound, hand-blown trophy back to the United States, Miller had to check it in with his luggage. He recovered it in “a million pieces” inside bubble wrap.