At the Summit

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, skier and a native of Austria, is one of the few Americans who can fully appreciate the achievement of Bode Miller in becoming the nation’s first skier in 22 years to win the overall World Cup in alpine ski racing. Austrian racers have long dominated their national sport; Schwarzenegger buddy Hermann “the Herminator” Maier won the 2004 overall World Cup title but finished third this year. Miller, 27, of Franconia, N.H., also led the U.S. ski team to its best showing ever, second place behind -- who else? -- Austria.

Most ski racers and hard-core fans consider World Cup titles a bigger deal than Olympic medals because a skier must race against the best in the world, over five months. One brilliant Olympic run can win a gold medal, and a tiny flub can put a great skier out of the running in the Games.

These are not thoughts that cross most minds in this country, at least in non-Olympic years. In Europe, World Cup races are carried live on television. In this country, they are barely a blip on the Outdoor Life Network. The kids are all becoming snowboarders anyway.

Miller is an American hero whose name a majority of Americans have never heard. That anonymity may not last long. Miller’s a spectacular athlete, the kind of guy snowboarders will notice even if he does race on two boards.