Miller withdraws

"He strained his knee in the slalom and we're not going to take any chances with it," the United States Alpine ski team director Jesse Hunt told Reuters on Saturday.

"We're hopeful that he will be ready for Garmisch. We're hopeful but we'll see."

Former world and World Cup champion Miller endured a miserable world championships, missing the podium in all four disciplines he entered.

Sweden hope to put the icing on the cake with the nations team event.

Personal glory will take second place behind national pride and Sweden have plenty in store after a triumphant campaign at home featuring three gold medals for Anja Paerson.

Germany won the first world championship team event two years ago in Bormio, although the format proved a little confusing for fans and racers alike.

At least it offered Germany the chance to grab a late gold medal after they failed to win one in the individual races and several nations will be banking on a last chance for glory this year.

The competition consists of two races, a super-G and a slalom. Each race comprises four heats with one racer per nation in each heat.

Teams can enter a maximum of six racers, which means they can make two changes between the first race and the second.

A points system is used with the winner of each heat getting one point, the second-placed skier two points, and so on. The team with the lowest points total will win the gold medal.

Women's giant slalom gold medallist Nicole Hosp has pulled out of Austria's squad for the event because of illness.

Hosp, who also won downhill bronze here, will be replaced by Michaela Kirchgasser for an event Austria need to win to knock Sweden off the top of the medals table.

Favourites Austria will also rely on Fritz Strobl, Benjamin Raich, Mario Matt, Renate Goetschl and Marlies Schild for the event, featuring a super-G and a slalom.