Fletchers Lead USA in Combined Team Event

FALUN, Sweden (Feb. 22, 2015) - Brothers Taylor and Bryan Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) led the USA Sunday with the squad finishing seventh in the team event behind gold medalists Germany. Bryan led off the 4x5k relay finishing second, while Taylor posted the fastest time in his second leg run. The USA had been the defending bronze medalists from 2013 in Val di Fiemme.

In the morning jump round, Taylor led the USA flying 90.0 meters, with Bryan close behind in 89.5. An ailing Billy Demong (Vermontville, NY) went 89.0 meters with Adam Loomis (Eau Claire, WI) getting his first World Championship start and going 83.5 meters. The USA found itself in eighth after the jump, starting one minute, 31 seconds behind Germany which held a narrow lead over Japan and France.

In the afternoon 4x5k relay, the USA opened with Bryan Fletcher, who skied a strong leg - second fastest time - but was unable to close much of the gap to the leaders. Taylor followed in the second leg wtih the fastest time. Again, the lead by the Germans was insurmountable. 

Demong was questionable before the competition, having been sick most of the night. "If this was an individual event, I would have bailed," said Demong. "But when your team is relying on you I did whatever I could to get rest during the day and bring out my best."

As the veteran on the team, Demong looked at the team event with eyes to the future. "Taylor had a really strong day, Bryan as well," he said.  "And Adam put down a solid jump for himself and a good race. Unfortunately we weren’t able to climb onto the podium. But I feel really good that we have a good really team when I leave. It’s must a matter of time until this item is back on the podium in the relay. You have to set yourself up for success - these guys are doing that."

Bryan Fletcher took confidence away from the event with his performance - both on the jumps and trail. "The race went much better today for myselfl" he said. "I felt strong and was able to ski hard throughout the race making up a lot of time on the front groups. This is a good confidence booster going into next week"

HIGHLIGHTS

• Taylor Fletcher posted the best jump for the USA with 90.0 meters.
• Bryan Fletcher led off the opening leg with the second fastest time.
• Taylor Fletcher skied the second leg, recording the fastest leg time.
• Nordic combined is back in action on Thursday with the large hill individual event, wrapping up Saturday with the team sprint on the big hill.

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Falun 2015 Full Event Replays - Universal Sports
Falun 2015 Event Highlight - USSA Network 

QUOTES
Bryan Fletcher
The race went much better today for myself. I felt strong and was able to ski hard throughout the race making up a lot of time on the front groups. This is a good confidence booster going into next week. Knowing I have both elements there, I hope to be able to put the two together for a good performance on the large hill. Our team today gave it our all, I was happy to see Adam ski well after being sick earlier in the week and big kudos to Bill who raced today with something like the flu today after being sick with it all night. Regardless our team will be looking forward to next week with the same drive and optimism we started this week with.

Billy Demong
If this was an individual event, I would have bailed. But when your team is relying on you I did whatever I could to get rest during the day and bring out my best.

RESULTS
Official Results