Those who did include Paerson, who topped all Alpine skiers with three medals, and Antoine Deneriaz of France, who continued the tradition of little-known champions in the men’s downhill when he stole the gold as the last skier down the mountain with a chance to win. And don’t forget Janica Kostelic, ailing throughout these games, who set records by boosting her career totals to six medals, four of them gold. Kjetil Andre Aamodt set the men’s mark by winning his fourth gold, which extended his record for career Alpine medals to eight.

At 34, the Norwegian also is the oldest man to win Alpine gold.

Asked the secret to his success, Aamodt offered advice that Miller, 28, and other, younger skiers should note.

“Spend a lot of time on the hill, spend time training, and then, if you work hard over a long period of time, with a lot of focus, good things will happen to you,” Aamodt said. “And ... use your head while you’re having fun.”

Other lasting images of the Turin Olympics: American Lindsey Kildow competing in the downhill only 48 hours after a frightening free-fall in practice sent her to the hospital. Kristina Koznick racing with a brace holding together her right knee. Slalom favorite Giorgio Rocca, Italy’s best hope to avoid its first Alpine medal shutout since 1980, wiping snow from his nose after crashing midway through his opening run.

And the lasting image of Miller?

Slide show   Bode's Games See pictures of Bode Miller's 2006 Olympic performances.

Perhaps slamming into a gate in the super-G before somehow finding his balance and stopping on one ski — looking smooth in a losing cause. Or skiing off into the woods in a bid to avoid reporters. Or the photograph of him in a local watering hole, drink in hand, making an obscene gesture toward the camera.

His two silver medals at Salt Lake City, his 2004-05 World Cup overall title, his newsmagazine cover poses, his outlandish statements, his autobiography — all of it contributed to the pre-Olympics hype that pegged Miller as the star of these games.

“I just did it my way,” Miller told The Associated Press. “I’m not a martyr, and I’m not a do-gooder. I just want to go out and rock. And man, I rocked here.”

MORE FROM ALPINE SKIING

Alpine skiing Section Front

Rahlves says he has ‘way more’ of life than Bode Commentary: Bode did it his way Bode ends Games with no medals Vote: What do you think of Bode's Games? Whine of Week: Who else, but Bode? Skiers top list of U.S. disappointments Celizic: America's top 10 Olympic busts Austrians' slogan: have fun while winning Celizic: U.S. did itself proud at Olympics Alpine skiing medal winners, results Alpine skiing Section Front   Add Alpine skiing headlines to your news reader: