American skier Ryan Cochran-Siegle is preparing for the Olympic men's downhill on Italy's iconic Stelvio slope by revisiting compatriot Bode Miller's legendary 2005 performances. The 33-year-old aims to end a long American drought in Bormio downhills. He recently topped training speeds and seeks a low-profile approach amid high expectations.
In Bormio, Italy, Ryan Cochran-Siegle of the United States is gearing up for Saturday's Olympic men's downhill race on the challenging Stelvio course. The event, part of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, revives memories of Bode Miller's triumphs 21 years ago at the world championships, where he secured gold in the downhill and super-G events. Miller's dramatic combined run, where he lost a ski after a jump but nearly completed the course, remains etched in skiing lore.
Cochran-Siegle, speaking on Thursday after training sessions, expressed plans to rewatch Miller's 2005 downhill victory for motivation. "That (downhill) was like actually one of those legendary runs," he said. "Bodie as an athlete, especially as an American man, he set such a precedent for just reaching for the ultimate level. I always grew up idolising him."
The last American downhill win on the Stelvio dates to Miller's 2007 success, a mark Cochran-Siegle hopes to match. Miller, the most decorated U.S. male skier with 33 World Cup victories across disciplines, four world titles, and a 2010 Olympic super-combined gold, continues to influence the sport. Cochran-Siegle recently tuned into Mikaela Shiffrin's podcast featuring Miller, drawing on his unique athletic vision.
Cochran-Siegle's sole World Cup triumph came in a 2020 super-G on the same Stelvio slope. He posted the fastest time in Wednesday's initial downhill training run and earned a podium in Sunday's Crans Montana race, signaling strong form. Yet, he prefers discretion: "There's a lot of outside noise... Luckily, I was a lot slower today. Hopefully, that's kind of tuned down... and just allowed me to go and focus."
All competitors recognize the opportunity, with Cochran-Siegle embracing the uncertainty: "I think just going out and honestly not knowing what's going to happen, I think is exciting as well."
