WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — The U.S. nordic combined team, led by Steamboat Springs’ Todd Lodwick and Johnny Spillane, raced to a silver medal Tuesday. It was the Americans’ second nordic medal in two events.
With a large contingent from Steamboat Springs cheering in the finish area, the four-man U.S. squad finished second in the team event on the jump hill, then held its spot during the cross country relay race.
Austria, which was third after the jump, won gold. Germany moved up from sixth to win bronze.
Finland, which had a two-second head start in the cross country after leading after the first round, finished seventh.
American Billy Demong, of Vermontville, N.Y., had a slight edge over Mario Stecher heading into the final stadium portion, but stumbled at the turn and watched the Austrian zoom past him on the straightaway for a 5.2-second victory.
Lodwick had the second-best jump of the day, a leap of 136.5 meters. Only Janne Ryynaenen of Finland jumped further (138.5).
“It was sick,” said Lodwick, a reigning double world champion competing in his fifth Olympics. “It was so awesome.”
Spillane, who took silver in the normal hill individual event nine days ago to claim America’s first-ever Olympic medal in nordic combined, had the second-best jump for the U.S. (134 meters).
Lodwick was moved to see so many American flags at the jump venue, and so many people from Ski Town USA.
“They have sacrificed a lot to come up here,” Lodwick said, “and it means a lot to see those flags.
The cross country race will begin at 3 p.m. Denver time. Coaches have decided the order of the relay will be Brett Camerota of Park City, Utah, Lodwick, Spillane and Billy Demong of Vermontville, N.Y.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
