updated 12:29 p.m. ET Feb. 3, 2007

ARE, Sweden - Bode Miller blames the cough he brought to the Alpine Skiing World Championships on the team’s new policies that prevent him from sleeping in his RV.

Miller, who will start his six-race campaign with Monday’s super-G, said sleeping in the team hotels has led to various illnesses all season.

“Not being able to sleep in the motor home has had a pretty negative effect on the load of training I can hold up,” Miller said. “But more than that, a negative effect on just my health in general. I’ve been sick three or four times this year.

“I just had a cough and I think that’s just a natural side effect of being in a hotel with a ton of people in the winter time when people have colds and viruses and stuff.”

Miller’s driver, chef and childhood friend Jake Sereno arrived with Miller’s RV on Friday night, after traveling from central Europe to the Baltic Sea where he took an overnight ferry, before driving another 1,260 kilometers (783 miles) to get to Are.

The 29-year-old Miller was listed as one of “10 Celebrities Who Enjoy the RV Lifestyle” by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association on Friday, along with “Dumb & Dumber” actor Jeff Daniels, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, actor Matthew McConaughey and pro golfer Davis Love III.

“Being an RVer helps me do my job better. The RV world gives me a chance to balance things out. It allows me a sense of freedom,” Thomas said.

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New U.S. team crackdowns — many of which seem to have been designed for Miller — include a strict alcohol policy and require that athletes stay at official team lodging at competitions.

Athletes can still be accompanied by a vehicle, however.

Olympic giant slalom champion Julia Mancuso, who travels around with a personal bus and driver, chose not to bring them to Are because of the cost.

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