Lodwick Challenges in Ramsau NC World Cup

RAMSAU, Austria (Dec. 18) – The U.S. Ski Team’s Todd Lodwick (Steamboat Springs, CO) battled for the lead in a FIS Nordic Combined World Cup in Ramsau, before losing out in a five-skier sprint for third, finishing sixth. His teammate Johnny Spillane (Steamboat Springs, CO) was seventh as France’s Jason Lamy Chappuis picked up the win.

Lodwick, who was seventh after the jump, started 22 seconds back in the 10K cross country but quickly moved up through the field. By the midway point the World Champion took the lead over Austria’s Felix Gottwald, holding it until two kilometers to go when Gottwald took over. Gottwald and Lamy Chappuis battled it out for the remaining two Ks, while Lodwick fought with a pack of five, including Spillane, for third.

Lodwick finished 8.5 seconds behind the leader and just 1.4 from the podium.

One of the more impressive finishes of the day came from World Champion Billy Demong (Vermontville, NY). Demong, who was 37th in jumping, had to start 55 seconds back but moved up rapidly, eventually finishing 10th, 20.3 seconds behind the leader. Demong had the second fastest cross country time, with Spillane third.

Friday’s race was a makeup from an event canceled last weekend in the Czech Republic. Action continues with events Saturday and Sunday in Ramsau.

FIS NORDIC COMBINED WORLD CUP
Dec. 18, 2009
Ramsau, Austria

1. Jason Lamy Chappuis, France, (2/17) 22:03.6
2. Felix Gottwald, Austria, (4/16) +2.7
3. Magnus Moan, Norway, (43/1) +7.1
4. Tino Edelman, Germany, (6/10) +7.4
5. Anssi Koivuranta, Finland, (15/5) +7.7
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6. Todd Lodwick, Steamboat Springs, CO, (6/11) +8.5
7. Johnny Spillane, Steamboat Springs, CO, (21/3) +9.7
10. Billy Demong, Vermontville, NY, (37/2) +20.3
50. Bryan Fletcher, Steamboat Springs, CO, (61/33) +2.37.8