Nordic Combined: Demong wins again

World Champion nordic combine skier, American Bill Demong won his fourth World Cup event of the season today in Lahti, Finland. The New York native finished sixth in the jumping portion and fifth in the cross country race to grab his seventh career World Cup victory. He now stands in third place in the overall standings.

World Cup leader, Finland’s Anssi Koivuranta finished second after leading following the jumps. Frenchman Jason Lamy Chappuis earned the bronze, taking second in the jump and 16th in the cross country race.

Three nordic combined events remain on the World Cup schedule.  

World Champion nordic combine skier, American Bill Demong won his fourth World Cup event of the season today in Lahti, Finland. The New York native finished sixth in the jumping portion and fifth in the cross country race to grab his seventh career World Cup victory. He now stands in third place in the overall standings.

“I would say that today’s competition was the hardest in this season,” said Demong. “I had a good jump, but the race was very difficult. I had to dig deep and I was actually a little bit surprised to pull away from those guys on the last lap.”

“The most impressive thing today out of Bill was his jump. He had some of the worst conditions on the hill and had an awesome jump,” U.S. nordic combined head coach Dave Jarrett said. “Had he had conditions that were similar to what other athletes had, he could have won the jumps. It was impressive.”

The U.S. nordic combined team took three weeks off prior to the World Championships, a move Demong credits for his recent success.

“I think last year I was a little bit down at the end of the season. I think part of the reason I took three weeks off prior to worlds was to get ready for the Championships, but also to try to keep fresh physically and mentally for the last push of the season,” Demong said. “Today really helps me to not only keep the momentum, but keep me psyched for these last few competitions. After today I’m pretty fired up to keep going.”

World Cup leader, Finland’s Anssi Koivuranta finished second after leading following the jumps. Frenchman Jason Lamy Chappuis earned the bronze, taking second in the jump and 16th in the cross country race. Norway’s Magnus Moan took fourth after winning the cross country portion of the event. He currently stands in second in the overall rankings.

“Today, I was really satisfied to be able to compete again (after having been ill at the World Championships). I showed strength in jumping and running,” said Koivuranta. “Coming in runner-up could become very important because the fight for the overall between Magnus, Moan and me is still tight, and every point will count at the end.”

Three nordic combined events remain on the World Cup schedule including tomorrow’s event.