RAMSAU, Austria – The U.S. Ski Team’s Billy Demong (Vermontville, NY) landed one of the best jumps of his career to win his fourth career World Cup nordic combined event in Ramsau on Saturday.
“On the jump hill it was tough conditions. It was a little bit windy and snowy. I think it was a decent competition, but in those kind of conditions you just have to have confidence and go for it,” Demong said. “On the cross country course it was dumping and it was windy but I was able to just go out and ski my own race and hang on to the victory.”
“Bill did great today. He was given an opportunity and he took advantage of it,” Nordic Combined Coach Chris Gilbertson said. “There was some luck involved, but he jumped well so he was able to use it.”
Germany’s Bjoern Kircheisen finished second and Jan Schmid of Norway was third.
According to Demong, who finished second in the jumping portion, his first win of the season leaves him with encouragement that athletically he is where he is supposed to be.
“It’s pretty reassuring because it was a rough start but we did have a really good summer of jumping and training,” Demong said. “It’s good to get a podium and reinforce the fact that you did do the right things over the summer.”
Gilbertson echoed Demong’s sentiments about training.
“It’s a boost. It gives him confidence and we know we were doing the right things in the summer. We’ll just keep building on it.”
![Billy Demong](http://images.fasterskier.com/2009/01/081220-025050-n703375435_2305372_8973.jpg" "Billy Demong")