RAMSAU, Austria (Dec. 20, 2014) - On the wings of improved jumping, the USA bumped up from eighth to fifth in a FIS Nordic Combined World Cup team event Saturday in Ramsau. Action contnues Sunday with an individual event before the tour takes a holiday break.
The four-person team of Taylor Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO), Adam Loomis (Eau Claire, WI), Billy Demong (Vermontvile, NY) and Bryan Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) jumped to eighth, one minute, 49 seconds behind the leading Germans. The addition of Demong to the World Cup tour was a boost as he finished fourth in his round. Despite the improving jump performance, the team was still left with over a minute, 10 second gap to fourth place - far too much to makeup.
In the cross country leg, Bryan Fletcher opened and moved the team up one spot. Loomis took the handoff and led the team into fifth. Taylor Fletcher had a powerful third leg - fastest time of his round - with Demong anchoring into fifth. Norway won a tight battle with Germany for the win with France third.
QUOTES
Dave Jarrett, Head Coach
The guys jumped better, for sure, but there is a a lot parity on the jumping hill and a couple meters makes all the difference. We still need to continue to improve every chance. The podium was a just a bit out of reach today and fifth was the realistic goal after jumping.
The organizers have done a fantastic job getting this course in shape. It's too bad the jury has decided that if we use the PCR (provisional competition round) tomorrow with bad weather forecasted, that only 50 can start. Everyone is supposed to be able to start if they use the PCR. The reason it is important to note is that Bryan didn’t jump too well and ended up 51st but is only 30sec from top 30 and one minute from top 10 but doesn’t get to start.
RESULTS
Official Results
