Lillehammer, Norway – World Cup leader Jason Lamy-Chappuis of France continued his strong start to the Nordic Combined ski season on Sunday, moving up over Saturday’s winner Mikko Kokslien of Norway for the victory in Lillehammer. Austria’s Mario Stecher held off a hard-charging teammate Felix Gottwald for third.nBryan Fletcher, of Steamboat Springs, Colo., was in the points for the second time this season, leading the USA in 26th on Sunday. Billy Demong, of Vermontville, N.Y., was the next American in 38th.

Fletcher put himself in position with a 125.0 meter jump, starting 1:28 behind Lamy-Chappuis in cross country after the Olympic champion soared 137 meters to take the jump lead.

“It was a little bit better but definitely not up to our expectations,” said U.S. Ski Team Nordic Combined Coach Chris Gilbertson. “Bryan jumped OK, Billy jumped better, but not where we expect him to be.

“As far as the cross country race, we thought we would be skiing faster and we’re still trying to figure it out,” Gilbertson added. “We thought coming out of the final camp in Park City we would be faster. It’s definitely a little frustrating.”

The World Cup circuit now heads to Central Europe with a pair of events next weekend in Ramsau. Demong will take a planned break, returning to the USA to compete in the Continental Cup events in Utah.

FIS NORDIC COMBINED WORLD CUP
Dec. 5, 2010
Lillehammer, Norway
(jump rank/cross country rank, time back)

1. Jason Lamy-Chappuis, France, (1/33) 24:35.5
2. Mikko Kokslien, Norway, (20/5) +9.7 seconds
3. Mario Stecher, Austria, (10/12) +9.8
4. Felix Gottwald, Austria, (36/1) +11.2
5. Seppi Hurschler, Switzerland, (26/3) +12.7