Croatia's Ivica Kostelic closed the FIS World Championships in fine style, winning the Men's Slalom in a time of 1:40.66. Kostelic thus matched the victory of his sister, Janica, who won the women's slalom yesterday. They are the first pair of siblings to win gold medals in the same event at the World Championships.

Silvan Zurbriggen of Switzerland gave the home crowd something to cheer about with a second-run charge to a silver medal in a time of 1:40.99. Giorgio Rocca of Italy finished third in 1:41.02. Bode Miller, seeking to become the first American ever to win four medals in a single Worlds, had a difficult first run and wound up sixth.

Despite his misfortune today, Miller leaves this championship at the very top of the skiing world. He took gold medals in the Combined and Giant Slalom, as well as a silver medal in the Super-G, his first-ever international podium in a speed event.

In today's race, Miller lost a pole during the first run and finished nearly a second behind in 9th place. "I lost a ton of time ... my hand was numb for 10 minutes after I got down. I haven't lost a pole for two years…maybe three years ago in training," he said. He was able to improve his position a bit during the second run, but not enough to reach the podium, finishing in 1:41.54.

For the Kostelics, it is the second time this year that they have made sibling history. Back on the 5th of January, Janica celebrated her 21st birthday with a victory in the women's slalom at Bormio. About 90 minutes later, Ivica won the men's slalom at Kranjska Gora. It was the first time in World Cup history that siblings had won the same event on the same day. Now, the pair is at it again.

Three other Americans finished in the top 15, a fine showing. Chip Knight was 11th in 1:42.32, Tom Rothrock tied for 12th, .01 further back, while Eric Schlopy, coming off a bronze medal performance in the Giant Slalom tied for 15th in 1:42.40.

Rothrock said, "We didn't get a podium but it was still a good day for us, all four guys top 15. I was happy with my day. I was a little mad, coming down 28th in the first run, so I was fired-up for the second run. The course was great for me because I didn't have to worry about ruts. The first run just wasn't my type of course - really straight and I like it a more turny, like the second run. I just wasn't as aggressive as I was on the second run."

The men's World Cup schedule resumes Saturday with a downhill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany while the women head to Sierra Nevada, Spain, host of the 1996 Worlds, for two downhills next weekend.

— Tim O'Mara, MountainZone.com with additional material courtesy U.S. Ski Team