BORMIO, Italy - Bode Miller was assured of his second overall World Cup title in four years after his closest challenger decided not to ski one of the season's final two races.

Didier Cuche was not going to compete in the season's final slalom, Swiss team spokeswoman Kristina Schneider said Thursday. Cuche, a speed specialist who won the downhill season title over Miller earlier this week, doesn't race the slalom.

Miller declined to speak to reporters at the finish line.

"I am not talking today," he said.

His personal coach, John McBride, was glad the title came before the final race. Miller split from the U.S. team this season to train on his own.

"I am very happy I don't have to drag this all the way to the slalom and chew my fingers off watching him try to bring home the bacon in the slalom," McBride told The Associated Press. "I'm super relieved that he's done it because I think he proved he was the best overall skier this year."

Miller, who also won the overall in 2005, set up the United States to sweep the men's and women's overall World Cup titles for the first time in 25 years.