In case you haven’t heard, Billy “Golden Boy” Demong and Johnny “Hat Trick” Spillane built on their silver in the Nordic Combined Team Event and took Gold and Silver in the Large Hill event yesterday. I was already back home when they raced, but we watched the race in the Team USA athlete lounge in the Village. Our excitement was off the hook when Billy made his move going up the final climb to pull away from the Austrian and take Gold. Of course, the whole Nordic team went into Whistler for the medal ceremony to celebrate the first ever Nordic Gold medal in the Olympics for the US!
Billy D on top of the podium.
What a sight.
Todd Lodwick and his wife Sunny were on hand with Todd’s Silver medal.
Yeah Billy!
The band “The Roots” played after the ceremonies to a capacity crowd at the Medal Plaza. This tuba player was seriously impressive.
I usually avoid taking party pictures, but last night was a pretty special evening. The US Nordic team took over the Spyder House in Whistler, sponsored by the Alpine apparel company Spyder, to celebrate the Nordic Combined team’s success. Here, USSA Nordic Director John Farra recognizes the Silver Medalists from the Team Competition: Billy, Brett, Johnny, and Todd.
Johnny Spillane and Andy Newell. “Hat Trick” Spillane won three! silver medals at this Olympics. To my knowledge, he and Bode are the only Americans to have won 3 medals at the 2010 Games.
The cross country crew, Andy and Liz.
Billy’s to-do list for the day:
- Win the Olympics. Check.
- Get named flag bearer for the Closing Ceremonies. Check.
- Get a shout out from Lance Armstrong. Check.
- Propose to girlfriend Kate in front of friends and family after winning Gold. Check.
(She even said yes!).
Billy Demong and Nordic Director John Farra. Not sure which one is happier!
Liz Stephen checks out Billy’s gold. “Man, this thing is heavy!”
Sweet!
