BORMIO, Italy (AFP) - World Cup ski king Bode Miller left question marks hanging over his entire vision of the sport after finally getting his hands on the coveted overall crown here Sunday.

Miller dominated the series with 1409 points, with Austrian Benjamin Raich, the 2006 champion, finishing in second place on 1298 and Swiss Didier Cuche a close third on 1263.

But still, it didn't seem enough for the hugely talented American.

A decision to officially break away from the US ski team and set up the pioneering 'Team America-Bode' was vindicated, with Miller regaining the consistency he'd lost in the wake of his last triumph in 2005.

As well as winning the overall, Miller only lost out on the downhill crown to Cuche by five points. In controversial fashion, the trophy went to Cuche after the final race was cancelled due to poor snow conditions.

Another significant feat was Miller's domination of the combined, where skiers get to show off their all-round talents in a downhill and slalom.

In the end, Miller's 410 combined points contributed decisively to an overall tally that was also boosted by some more consistent slaloms.

The 30-year-old, who finished the season with six victories from the "12 or 13" he believed he should have won, said the progress in his downhill was what he was most proud of.

"I think the downhill was still what I was most proud of," said Miller.

"The improvement in slalom is pretty minor in my own mind. I've won slaloms by two seconds before, and you have to keep that in consideration. I've crushed the guys who are still racing (slalom) now."

Yet no one is quite so sure what's Miller's next step might be.

Ironically, 'Team America-Bode' was all but dissolved on the final day of the season as at least two of his coaches decided to return home for family reasons.

Miller hinted Saturday he was still unsure of his full commitment to racing next season, but countered that by saying he would never rule out a return to the US ski team's fold.

"I'm not against considering anything. But it would have to be a compelling proposal they put forward," he said. "In the past they've been pretty resistent."

Adding some spice, he took the opportunity to proclaim his preference for the emergence of "company teams" in skiing along the lines of Ferrari in Formula One, or Honda in motorbike racing.

"The only way to move this sport forward is to make a more professional situation. Every other sport has team Ferrari, Honda - its the way motor sports are organised," added Miller.

One of his biggest challenges next season, when Raich and Cuche will be joined by the returning 2007 overall champion Aksel Lund Svindal, in trying to defy the American, will be replacing long-time coach John McBride.

McBride believes Miller will rise to the challenge.

"I think he (Miller) has got a good idea of what he needs to do to continue the programme that we put in place this season," McBride told AFP.

"He's breaking ground, and doing positive stuff and it can only get better."

McBride has known Miller for over a decade.

And he says that trying to decipher Miller, including why he never seems totally pleased with his achievements, may be a waste of time.

"I think Bode is looking for a lot of things, peace of mind and even the definition of what success is," McBride added.

"A lot of people might be expecting Bode to be jumping up and down (with joy). But I think some people's definition of success is different from Bode's.

"I do think he's satisfied with a lot of things this season. He was successful, but he also dropped the ball on a few occasions and he won't be happy with that."