Todd Lodwick nails second straight podium in German Grand Prix

By Published On: June 7th, 2004Comments Off on Todd Lodwick nails second straight podium in German Grand Prix

Todd Lodwick nails second straight podium in German Grand Prix{mosimage}USSA — Todd Lodwick survived a near fall and parlayed a strong jump and solid cross-country skiing into his second straight nordic combined World Cup podium Friday, finishing third in the second stop on the German Grand Prix.

Norwegian Magnus Moan was the surprise winner by 1.8 seconds over Olympic and former World Cup champion Samppa Lajunen of Finland. Lodwick was third.

“That’s another good one in the bank,” Lodwick said after finishing 24.2 seconds back of Moan, who was seventh in jumping and then posted the second-fastest 7.5km race. Lajunen was sixth in jumping but couldn’t hold off Moan in the final sprint. Also for the U.S., Carl Van Loan was 37th.

“Good conditions, great crowd – another 10,000, I’d say, which was nice after the 10,000 we had Tuesday in Oberhof,” Lodwick said. He stands ninth in World Cup points behind Ronny Ackermann of Germany, who has won five of the seven events this winter but was eighth Friday.

Lodwick said Felix Gottwald of Austria passed him on the second lap and then wouldn’t let him get back ahead — “and then Felix fell away. I’m not sure what happened.” Moan and Lajunen made a break at that point and built a lead, “and I couldn’t catch ’em. I’d led most of the way but I couldn’t get back to them.”

Said coach Bard Elden, “This was another good day. Todd’s been pretty consistent with his jumping and his confidence is back. Obviously, he’s jumping and skiing well, and that’s always good to see.”

The German Grand Prix concludes Sunday in Schonach. A five-time World Cup winner, Lodwick picked up one of his wins in the German nordic center.

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About the Author: Pete Rugh