Raich poised, Miller DSQ

Miller, who held a 2.06 second advantage over Austrian Raich after the opening downhill, looked to be taking a 0.97 second cushion into the deciding slalom. But race officials spotted the American straddling the 42 gate on television replays. The 2002 Olympic combined silver medallist was disqualified shortly after the revelation.

"Obviously it's a drag but the downhill was good and I made it to the finish...that's at least half the battle for me," Miller told reporters.

"It's not the first time I've hooked a tip. I've straddled probably more times than most people have finished slaloms," he added.

The decision left the podium wide open for a cluster of outsiders. Former world championships slalom gold medallist Ivica Kostelic currently sits in second place, 0.40 seconds behind Raich, while American hopes now lie on the shoulders of youngster Ted Ligerty, third at 0.86 seconds.

Other favourites failing to make it through to the final run include Austria's Michael Walchhofer, Norwegian pair Lasse Kjus and Askel Lund Svindal and Swiss slalom specialist Silvan Zurbriggen.

Besides Raich, Austria have podium material in Rainer Schoenfelder who lies in fourth at 1'04. There is also an outside chance that Italy's Georgio Rocca, eighth at 1.62, could produce some magic to make a medal.

Outsiders to watch include Daniel Albrecht of Switzerland, in fifth, the Czech Republic's Ondrej Bank, sixth, and Slovenian sensation Andrej Sporn, currently seventh.