Bode Miller will go into the World Cup Finals 93 points behind Stephan Eberharter. Miller, who saw heavy snow and wind wipe out Friday's giant slalom in Shiga Kogen, went out in the first run of the weather-delayed slalom in Japan Saturday. Austrian Rainer Schoenfelder and Finn Kalle Pallander tied for the win in 1:41.14. Erik Schlopy was the only U.S. finisher in 14th in 1:43.57.

Pallander's win, albeit with the tie, moved him ahead of World Cup leader Ivica Kostelic of Crotia with 578 points to 549 leaving Kostelic with only the March 16 World Cup finals slalom to defend his title.

It was a bitter blow for Miller, but he still heads into Lillehammer with a decent chance at overtaking Eberharter, who did not ski in the slalom. Friday's giant slalom -- Miller's best event this season -- was the second GS to be wiped off the World Cup calendar this season. Neither will be made up.

Miller came into the scheduled four-race Asian swing 185 points behind Eberharter, and left with the margin nearly cut in half. Miller was typically philosophical -- never counting himself out. In fact, while he had a good chance of taking the overall lead into next week's four-event World Cup Finals in Lillehammer, Norway, he still has a strong shot at the crown if he can stay close in the speed events, which he has much of the season, and pickup points in the technical points where he is clearly stronger than Eberharter.

Miller will faceoff with Eberharter in the downhill and super G Wednesday and Thursday, with the title. Miller needs only a single 24th place finish to move the title determination into the Saturday and Sunday giant slalom and slalom.

Saturday's slalom was delayed for an hour due to weather, but eventually got underway.

— Courtesy U.S. Ski Team