GIRDWOOD, Alaska (AP) – Jimmy Cochran knew he was getting a break when race favorite Bode Miller slipped on the opening run of the giant slalom Monday at the U.S. Alpine Championships.

And when first-run leader Daron Rahlves missed a gate in the afternoon run, Cochran knew he had his second national title in two days. Cochran, the latest member of a U.S. ski racing family dynasty, added the GS title Monday to the slalom gold he won a day earlier.

“The slalom, I figured I have a chance to do pretty well. But to win the GS is unbelievable,” said Cochran, 22. “No Bode, so that helps, but I’m really, really excited.”

Miller, the World Cup GS champion, was late for his first run and immediately fell out of contention when he slipped past a gate and had to climb back up the hill, losing about 10 seconds.

That really opened it up for the rest of the field. Cochran had the third-fastest time of the morning, trailing only Jake Zamansky and Rahlves. And after taking over the lead with one of the top runs in warm afternoon sun, which softened the course considerably, Cochran sat at the bottom and waited.

“It was bit of a groove, kind of choppy and kind of soft but as long as you were over your skis, it was unbelievable,” Cochran said of the snow, which got softer as the afternoon got warmer.

It was in the mid-30s for the second run.

Zamansky couldn’t quite pass Cochran, leaving only Rahlves, who held more than a half-second lead after the opening run. But when Rahlves, the speed specialist who won the super giant slalom on Saturday, skidded off course and missed a gate, Cochran was immediately congratulated with high-fives from several teammates.

“It’s too bad. I think he probably deserved that one a lot more than I did today,” Cochran said of Rahlves.

Zamansky finished second (2:08.97), followed by Tom Rothrock (2:09.26).

Rahlves was disappointed after posting such a fast first run – he was the only skier under a minute (59.81) – only to not finish after skidding off course.

“The snow was just really soft and I just lost all the pressure I had on my ski,” said Rahlves, who won four World Cup races this season. “I had a good season. Nationals isn’t going to disappoint me or really change anything for the whole year.”

Cochran, skiing last year in the NCAA championships for the University of Vermont, just wrapped up his first season on the U.S. “C” team.

He’s considering summer school in Vermont, but plans to race full-time again next season.

“It’s been a long year. I’ve pretty much been going about 90 mph the entire year,” he said. “It’s nice that it was just kind of winding down and I can end on a good note.”

Cochran’s two first-place finishes give his family 18 national titles. His father, Bob, won nine of them and aunts Marilyn, Barbara Ann and Lindy combined for the others.

Miller, who finished No. 4 in the World Cup overall standings, struggled with his racing all week. He also missed a gate Sunday in the slalom and had to climb back up in order to finish.

“It’s just tough. It’s a finicky sport. Guys who are leading – first, second or third in the first run – don’t necessarily win,” Miller said. “Flukey stuff can go on.”

Miller said it was still a fun weekend, although he didn’t arrive until early Friday from Italy, where he was testing equipment after the World Cup finals.

He was scheduled to fly to Norway on Tuesday for more testing.

“All I do is fun,” he said.

The Alpine Championships end Tuesday with the women’s GS, where 19-year-old Lindsey Kildow will go for her third title of the week.

AP-ES-03-22-04 2053EST