By USSA

LAKE LOUISE, Alberta –- The Audi FIS Alpine World Cup had its men’s downhill opener Saturday amid cloudy skies and challenging flat-light conditions on Saturday. Two-time World Cup overall champion Bode Miller (Franconia, N.H.) posted the top U.S. Ski Team result in 16th, while Italian Dominik Paris carved up the icy and bumpy course to take the victory.

Sunday the men race a super G before returning to America for the Audi Birds of Prey race week in Beaver Creek.

Also earning World Cup points were U.S. Ski Team members Steven Nyman (Sundance, Utah) finishing in 19th, Travis Ganong (Squaw Valley) 24th and Erik Fisher (Middleton, Idaho) 26th.

Miller is returning to the racing circuit after a year absence and showing promising results with two top-20 finishes in a row, including Saturday and the Soelden World Cup giant slalom in late October.