USA Notches Fourth in Ramsau Combined

RAMSAU AM DACHSTEIN, Austria (Dec. 14) – Five-time Olympian Todd Lodwick (Steamboat Springs, CO) anchored a strong race with Bryan Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) to take fourth during the nordic combined 2x7.5k team sprint Saturday. Lodwick and Fletcher (USA I) jumped into 14th and started the team sprint 44 seconds back, which they cut in half after two 1,500-meter laps. Norway I won the race with Norway II close behind. On Sunday, the nordic combined athletes take on the 10k individual Gundersen.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Five-time Olympian Todd Lodwick (Steamboat Springs, CO) anchored a strong race with Bryan Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) to take fourth during the nordic combined World Cup 2x7.5k team sprint Saturday in Ramsau.
• Lodwick and Fletcher (USA I) jumped into 14th and started the team sprint 44 seconds back, which they cut in half after two of the ten 1,500-meter laps.
• Jump leaders Japan and Estonia dropped back quickly, and by the midway mark the race had evolved into huge pack with Norway I, Norway II, Italy, Germany, Austria I, Austria II and USA I battling throughout the rest of the race.
• USA I edged into second place after the midway mark before settling back into the battle for third.
• Then Lodwick skied a strong anchor leg and put in a courageous push up the final hill to hold fourth, but just couldn't close the gap on Italy for third, finishing only 1.2 seconds off the podium. Norway I won the race with Norway II close behind.
• USA II, anchored by brother Taylor Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) finished 15th.
• On Sunday, the nordic combined athletes take on the 10k individual Gundersen.

QUOTES
Dave Jarrett, Head Nordic Combined Coach
It was an awesome race today for both USA teams. We put ourselves in a position to not only get a podium result but also win. It was there and that is all you can ask for. The staff is doing a good job, jumping is improving, XC is improving, the service guys have done an awesome job the last three weekends. We will keep working hard and we know the results will come.

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