CHAUX-NEUVE, France (Jan. 11, 2015) - Bad weather forced a change in format at the Chaux-Neuve FIS Nordic Combined World Cup Saturday, switching from a team sprint to an individual race. The USA took advantage, with Taylor Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) skiing to fifth and brother Bryan eighth. It was Bryan's third individual top ten of the season.
With a soggy jump hill, officials reverted to Friday's provisional competition round of jumping, turning a planned team sprint Sunday into an individual Gundersen competition. That benefited the USA. Taylor Fletcher had jumped to 27th on Friday, putting him two minutes, four seconds back for the 10k cross country. With a pair of rocket skis under his feet, he methodically picked his way through the field, posting the fastest cross country time and nearly bridging his way onto the podium.
It's a great feeling to produce this result and share the top 10 with my brother," said Taylor Fletcher. "I thought a podium was a possibility as I was pulling in Gruber and Krog but I ran out power with a half kilometer to go."
Norway's Magnus Moan won for the second straight day, with teammate Magnus Krog second and Austria's Bernhard Gruber third. Taylor finished 21.8 seconds behind Moan and just 12 seconds from the podium.
Brother Bryan jumped to 25th in the PCR and had a very strong cross country leg - fourth fastest - to finish 14 seconds behind Taylor.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Taylor Fletcher finished fifth with brother Bryan eighth in a soggy FIS Nordic Combined World Cup in Chaux-Neuve.
- With soft conditions on the landing hill, officials reverted to results from Friday's provisional competition round, changing a planned team sprint to an individual event.
- Just outside the points were Bill Demong (Vermontville, NY) in 32nd and Adam Loomis (Eau Claire, WI) 34th - a day after scoring his first World Cup points.
- The tour now heads to Seefeld, Austria next weekend for a pair of events.
QUOTES
Taylor Fletcher
Today was a big step back to where I am capable of skiing. I have been raising my average on the jumping hill, helping me first get into the competition weekend. Today the PCR was used and I had a fantastic jump putting me in a great place to have a top 15 finish.
Yesterday didn't go well on both sides as I was battling a stomach bug that was not fun to race with. Therefore I was not expecting to race as well today, but that show what can happen when you throw the expectations out the window. I have to thank our service guys Andrej and Mazi as my skis were rockets helping me weave through the field. I thought a podium was a possibility as I was pulling in Gruber and Krog but I ran out power with a half km to go! Overall it is a great feeling to produce this result and share the top 10 with my brother! On to next weekend!
Dave Jarrett, Head Coach
Another great step in the right direction today. Taylor and Bryan skied very well. Honestly we were hoping for all guys to be in the points today but Billy crashed in the third lap. Adam did a good job as well and almost skied into points too.
We used the PCR (provisional competition round of jumping from Friday) because the landing hill was really soft. It rained all night and then turned to snow this morning. It was a wise decision to use the PCR. However the course was a mix of dirt, old and new snow which made ski selection difficult. Our service guys, Mazi and Andrej nailed it again though.
RESULTS
Official Results
