Bryan Fletcher has one of the more inspiring stories in skiing - a childhood cancer survivor. Since breaking onto the international nordic combined scene with a victory in the King’s Cup at Holmenkollen in 2012, Bryan Fletcher has established himself as one of the best combined skiers in the world.
Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age three, Fletcher underwent intensive chemotherapy, surviving a stroke before going into remission. The dust had barely settled before Fletcher went on a competitive tear, eventually vaulting into the world’s elite nordic combined athletes.
After his first World Cup win in 2012, the 2013 season proved to be a good one for Fletcher, who helped capture the USA’s first full-team nordic combined World Ski Championships medal in Val di Fiemme, Italy.
Fletcher hit the 2015 season determined to continue his improvement and challenged for the lead at the World Championships in Falun, before finishing fifth. Despite narrowly missing out on the medal, he improved to a personal best seven top-10 finishes culminating with a 15th place in the FIS Overall World Cup Standings. With his continued improvement, look for Fletcher to be a contender in the years to come.
BRYAN SAYS
In the 2015 season I put myself in podium contention a number of times and did everything I could to capitalize on those opportunities. Despite my best efforts and some strong cross-country skiing throughout the season I narrowly missed out on the podium. Being one of the best-ranked skiers to walk away from the season without a podium left me hungry. I am excited for the 2016 season to get underway and hopefully I will be able to show my hard work from the summer on the results sheets.
FIRST TRACKS
Fletcher was skiing by age three and his father, who is still on the Howelson Hill Ski Patrol, took him up on the mountain almost every day. Growing up in Ski Town USA, he started ski jumping at four, added cross-country at six, and became a combined skier. As a young boy, he came close to dying of cancer. “The doctors didn’t want me to jump, but I loved it. My parents wanted me to be happy, so I started and I’ve stuck with it.” He successfully beat the cancer and grew into a premiere athlete, competing at Junior Worlds in 2003, ’05 and ’06 in addition to World Championships ’07,’09,’11,’13, and’15.
OFF THE SNOW
Bryan enjoys weekends with his dog and wife hiking, biking, camping and whatever else they can find outdoors. He has a passion for cooking and enjoys experimenting with new flavors. Lastly Bryan enjoys giving back to the community fighting cancer. He is always involved in charity events and projects to raise awareness and funds for the cause. He recently co-founded a charity called ccThrive. The charity aims to help childhood cancer survivors thrive after cancer. Fletcher says, “A child should not be defined by their lowest moments, many survivors have already been through so much it’s hard for them to reach and realize their full potential. ccThrive will help them reach their fullest potential enabling them to Thrive.
