The U.S. Ski Team’s nordic combined contingent is off to a great start after two races.
Former world champion Johnny Spillane of Steamboat Springs, who underwent offseason shoulder surgery, finished second in a World Cup event Friday at Kuusamo, Finland. Teammate Billy Demong was third there Saturday, and Spillane was sixth. German Bjorn Kircheisen was first.
Spillane’s podium finish Friday marked his best result since the 2003 season.
“It’s definitely satisfying,” said Spillane, who has battled problems with both shoulders in recent years. “I’m healthy and I can ski.”
Demong, who was seventh Friday, said he and Spillane can do better.
“We’re both satisfied with the results, but Johnny and I both know we have stuff to work on,” said Demong, who is from Vermontville, N.Y. “That’s good, too, because if you finish third and that’s absolutely the best you could do, but you’re still third, what do you do? We know we can win.”
The nordic combined World Cup now moves to Trondheim, Norway, where Spillane made the podium in three consecutive races in 2002. Later that season he became the first American to win a nordic combined world championships gold medal.
John Meyer
