Ploy backfires for U.S. skier Miller

Bode Miller’s ploy to gain a better starting position backfired when he slammed into a gate and finished fourth Sunday in a World Cup downhill at Bormio, Italy.

Christof Innerhofer of Italy, the first starter out of the gate, notched his first World Cup victory. He was timed in 2 minutes 3.55 seconds on a two-mile course icier and harder than usual. Klaus Kroell finished second, 0.32 of a second behind, and fellow Austrian Michael Walchhofer was third, 0.95 back.

“Today was my day,” Innerhofer said. “I raced my first World Cup here and had my first top-10 finish here. Everything started here in Bormio for me.”

Miller missed Saturday’s compulsory bib draw and was fined $933 and given the No. 46 starting spot, allowing him to compete when there was more sunlight on the icy Stelvio course.

Gian Franco Kasper, president of the International Ski Federation, called Miller’s move “a mockery.” He said there will be an inquiry to determine whether the New Hampshire skier intentionally skipped the draw.

Top skiers are usually drawn between 15 and 22. Miller said he was absent because he was getting medical attention after a minor injury in training.

Miller said he didn’t mind being penalized.

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Kathrin Zettel of Austria won a women’s World Cup giant slalom for her second title this season and Lindsey Vonn of the United States finished eighth to remain atop the overall standings.

Zettel finished in a two-run combined time of 2:10.90 to beat Manuela Moelgg of Italy by 0.37 of a second at Semmering, Austria.

Julia Mancuso of the United States finished sixth.

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Todd Lodwick of the United States was runner-up for a second consecutive Nordic combined World Cup event in his comeback from retirement, losing to overall leader Anssi Koivuranta of Finland at Oberhof, Germany.

Lodwick finished 6.9 seconds behind Koivuranta a day after also placing second on his return to the World Cup circuit after nearly three years of retirement.

He led three Americans in the top 10, with Bill Demong finishing eighth and Johnny Spillane placing 10th.

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Nancy Swider-Peltz Jr. won her first women’s all-around national title and Chad Hedrick won the men’s all-around in the U.S. long track speedskating national championships at West Allis, Wis.

Swider-Peltz Jr., 21, won the 5,000 meters in 7:23.39 and finished second in the 1,500 in 2:03.77 to add to her Saturday victory in the 3,000 and eighth-place finish in the 500.

Hedrick came off a strong performance Saturday when he edged rival Shani Davis in the 5,000 after Davis had beaten him earlier in the 500.

Hedrick won the 1,500 in 1:46.52 and Davis was second in 1:47.20. Trevor Marsicano, 19, won the 10,000 in 13:41.01 and Hedrick finished second in 13:44.35.

BASEBALL

Red Sox, Penny are close to a deal

The Boston Red Sox are nearing an agreement with former Dodgers pitcher Brad Penny, according to a story on the Boston Globe’s website. The one-year deal would be worth $5 million, with $3 million in performance bonuses.

The 29-year-old Penny is coming off an injury-plagued season for the Dodgers, during which he made 17 starts and posted a 6.27 earned-run average.

Over his nine-year career, Penny is 94-75 with a 4.06 ERA.

The Globe also reported the Red Sox are close to a deal with catcher Josh Bard.

ETC.

Crater leaves Ohio State

Anthony Crater, a top recruit who played in all 10 basketball games for No. 15 Ohio State this season, has been given a release from his scholarship, Coach Thad Matta said. Matta said the 6-foot-1 freshman point guard from Flint, Mich., requested the release. Crater had 12 points and 19 assists for the Buckeyes. --

Despite an encounter with a shark and sailing most of the race with flotsam on its keel, Wild Oats XI won its fourth straight Sydney to Hobart race in Australia, finishing the 628-nautical-mile race in 1 day 20 hours 34 minutes 14 seconds.