World giant slalom champion Bode Miller finished third Saturday in a World Cup GS, losing ground in the GS standings to Michael Von Gruenigen of Switzerland - who won the race - but gaining ground on overall World Cup leader Stephan Eberharter of Austria, who was 23rd at Yongpyong resort, dropping the margin to 133 points going into Sunday's slalom.

"It was a really rugged course, bumpy course," said Miller. The race was delayed for nearly an hour as officials battled six inches of overnight snowfall at the Korean resort. "It almost seems like we're scripting the end of the season -- me losing ground to Eberharter in Garmisch and then reeling him back in here, as well as keeping in contact with Von Gruenigen for the GS title."

"This hill is a world class hill, but the conditions today were really tough for everybody," added Miller.

With another stylish run, Von Gruenigen - the premier GS racer of his time - overtook first-run leader Frederic Covili of France, the defending World Cup GS champ, to win in 2:26.68. Covili was second in 2:26.85 with Miller third (2:27.00). Erik Schlopy (, bronze medalist in GS behind Miller at the recent World Championships, finished 17th.

The win gave Von Gruenigen a 97 point lead over Miller with two GS's remaining -- next week in Shigakogen, Japan and the following week in Lillehammer, Norway.

Overall, Eberharter has 1,153 points to 1,020 for Miller after 31 races. The men run slalom Sunday and then another Gs/SL combination march 7-8 in Shiga Kogen, Japan, near Nagano. The top 25 in each discipline will go to Lillehammer, Norway, for World Cup Finals March 12-16.