Miller targets Levi comeback

VIENNA (AFP) - American skiier Bode Miller, who endured one of the worst seasons of his career in 2008-09, said on Thursday that he expects to return to World Cup action in the slalom at Levi, Finland on November 15.

Speaking at this season's World Cup opener in Solden, Austria earlier this week, Miller had suggested that he would be likely to make his comeback in December.

"I think I'll be ready to race in Levi," Miller wrote on his blog.

"It's been good to get some time on snow these past few weeks. I got done what I wanted to get done but the conditioning component will continue through January probably.

"It's going to take a long time to get as fit as I want to be."

The 32-year-old has already declared his intentions for the season: to win a third overall World Cup, after his victories in 2005 and 2008, and an Olympic medal, which is the only silverware missing from the four-time world champion's collection.

He called a halt to his last season in February after a series of disappointing performances in the World Championships, having managed just three podium finishes in the World Cup up to that point.