February 28, 2009 (Liberec, Czech Republic) – American Billy Demong from Vermontville, NY added to the US medal haul at the 2009 Liberec Nordic Worlds with gold on Saturday, winning the final Nordic Combined event of the competitions, the Gundersen LH HS134/10km, giving the US a total of four golds at the championships. Todd Lodwick (USA) who won two golds earlier placed 10th.

The USA’s Demong started in bib 8th over 30 seconds back from France’s Jason Lamy Chappuis who had the best jump of the day at 131 meters. Demong had a solid jump of 121 meters and knew his strong cross-country skills put him in contention for a medal in the event. He easily made up the time on the six skiers ahead of him to lead a pack up to Lamy Chappuis before passing him as well and whittling the group down to just himself and Kircheisen.

On the final gradual climb into the stadium Demong proved too much for the Finn – who had just matched Demong’s surge on the final big climb – and he easily skied to victory and the third straight individual event gold medal for the USA at the Nordic World Championships.

Full results here

Results (brief)

1. Bill Demong (USA) 23:36.6
2. Bjoern Kircheisen (Ger) 23:49.4
3. Jason Lamy Cappuis (Fra) 24:08.0
4. Janne Ryynaene (Fin) 24:25.6
5. Magnus-H. Moan (Nor) 24:31.7

10. Todd Lodwick (USA) 24:50.1
19. Johnny Spillane (USA) 25:33.8
34. Eric Camerota (USA) 26:42.3
37. Jason Myslicki (Can) 26:50.4