February 23, 2010 (Whistler, BC) – In a dramatic finish, Mario Stecher secured gold for Austria as the USA claimed silver in the Nordic Combined Team event at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Whistler Olympic Park. After a nail-biting race, Stecher relegated Bill Demong (USA) to second place with Bjoern Kircheisen (GER) in third place. In doing so, Austria defended its 2006 Olympic victory.

Winning silver, the US team achieved an inspired medal losing the gold by a mere 5.2 seconds. Brett Camerota, Todd Lodwick, Johnny Spillane and

Bill Demong were in the hunt after the jumping – the quartet was second to Finland, and the margin was just 2 seconds. Austria was third, 36 seconds behind.
Camerota started strong in the cross-country ski event, taking the lead. Todd Lodwick remained with the leaders but wasn’t unable to keep the lead, moving into second. Third off for the USA was Johnny Spillane who fought against Felix Gottwald (AUT) but was 14.5 seconds l ate at the last change. Demong made up ground and took over the lead but at the finish he was too tired to match the last an decisive attack of Stecher, who was also the anchor man for Austria in 2006 at the Torino Games.

Germany with Johannes Rydzek, Tino Edelmann, Eric Frenzel and Kircheisen went from sixth place after the jumping portion to third crossing the finish line 19.5 seconds behind the winners for the bronze.

Finland, leading after the first part of the Team event, finished in seventh place after a disappointing cross-country performance .

Competition round here.

Full results here.

Results (brief)

1. Austria (Bernhard  Gruber, David Kreiner, Felix Gottwald, Mario Stecher ) 49:31.6
2. USA (Brett Camerota, Todd Lodwick, Johnny Spillane and Bill Demong +0.52
3. Germany (Johannes Rydzek, Tino Edelmann, Eric Frenzel, Bjoern Kircheisen) +19.5