Schonach, Germany – Memories of Olympic silver in Vancouver were rekindled on Saturday as the U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team charged back onto the podium, finishing third in an HS106/4x5k World Cup relay in Schonach.

It was an historic first World Cup team event podium for the U.S. Ski Team. The USA started sixth in cross country, 57 seconds behind Norway, which ultimately went on to win. The USA slowly moved up through the pack with Bryan Fletcher, Taylor Fletcher, Todd Lodwick, all from Steamboat Springs, Colo., and Vermontville, N.Y.’s Billy Demong pacing to pass Austria to take third.

The USA had a good launching pad for the effort thanks to a strong 94.5 meter jump from Demong, who led his group in jumping. Taylor Fletcher’s 12:39.4 was the fastest cross country leg of the day.

“It feels very good to get this result. Our team had the proper expectations going into the event and were ready to compete,” Taylor Fletcher said. “We all had good jumps on the hill and Billy showed he can jump amazing whenever he wants. Everyone has very strong leg in the cross country with Bryan holding the time to the skiers in front, Todd moving up and giving Billy a good shot at the podium.”

“Today was a one of those days where you don’t have too many expectations but as a team we knew we could break up the podium if we focused on the process and all did what we could,” added Demong. “It was super exciting and tactical as we moved through the field.”

Lodwick and Demong are veterans of the silver medal winning relay team at the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. The best previous World Cup team event finish came in 2002 at Val di Fiemme, Italy, when Lodwick, Demong and Matt Dayton, of Breckenridge, Colo., finished fourth.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
FIS Nordic Combined World Cup
Schonach, Germany – Jan. 5, 2013
HS106/4x5km Relay