January 24, 2016 (Chaux-Neuve, FRA) – After a month long break, the FIS Nordic Combined World Cup finally got back underway at Chaux-Neuve in the Jura Mountains. Americans Bryan and Taylor Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) led the way, finishing 19th and 20th. Taylor recorded the fastest cross country time, with Bryan third.

“It felt great to be back on the circuit. The weather was awesome for the comp today and I am happy with my performance,” Bryan Fletcher said. “I have been slowly making progress towards a higher level on the jump hill and the cross country was great today. I felt strong and skied a smart race especially considering I was in the front quite a lot during the race pulling a strong group.”

Germany’s Eric Frenzel took a 4.7 second victory over Austrian Bernhard Gruber with Akito Watabe of Japan, the jump leader, third. The race debuted a new cross country course in Chaux-Neuve with athletes doing five laps on the two kilometer course.

In the morning jump, Bryan Fletcher soared to 29th with Taylor 33rd. That put Bryan a minute, 46 seconds back in the cross country, with Taylor another 12 seconds behind. By the midway mark, Taylor hooked up with Bryan and the two skied together, working their way through the pack.

The World Cup continues Sunday with a second individual event.

Results here.