Nordic Nation: Sealing the Olympic Deal with Bryan Fletcher

In this episode of Nordic Nation, we discuss the recent U.S. Nordic Combined Olympic Trials, which were held Dec. 30 in Park City, Utah, with U.S. NoCo’s leading man, Bryan Fletcher. Nerves, pressure, the flying and skiing — those all played a role on Fletcher’s day at Olympic trials. After the jumping portion of the competition, things weren’t so certain for the eventual winner, as Fletcher began the 10-kilometer ski race nearly a minute and a half behind the first starter, Ben Loomis. We connected with Fletcher, a 31-year-old dad, from his home in Heber, Utah, last week on Jan. 3 as he reflected on sealing the Olympic deal.

https://twitter.com/usskiteam/status/947229892751499265

Fletcher also discusses the prospects of U.S. Nordic Combined fielding a team of four skiers at the upcoming Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. For now, the U.S. is guaranteed two spots. And as Fletcher explains, hope remains for two more athlete spots to open up.

Trials results: Jumping | Final results

Note: Since Fletcher’s interview, he and his brother Taylor competed at the first Nordic Combined World Cup of the new year, which took place on Friday, Jan. 12 in Val di Fiemme, Italy. There, Bryan finished 32nd (up from 39th in the jump) and Taylor placed 43rd (up from 49th). Full results here

(To subscribe to the Nordic Nation podcast channel, download the iTunes app. If you have iTunes, subscribe to Nordic Nation here.)