January 4, 2009 (Schonach, Germany) – Billy Demong (Vermontville, NY) finished second in Sunday’s World Cup Nordic Combined competition in Schonach, Germany. After finishing 18th in the jumping portion of the event, Demong skied the second fastest 10km to take his third podium of the season. “Jumping was good today. I was a little disappointed after last weekend, but today I stepped it up a little and put myself in a good position,” Demong said.

Finland’s Anssi Koivuranta took his fourth win of the season to secure his lead in the overall, while Demong moved into third place, just behind Norway’s Magnus Moan. “It was a pretty tight race because everyone started close together and I was able to get into third place after the first lap,” Demong said.

Demong said he worked with third place finisher Bjoern Kircheisen of Germany to try and pull in Koivuranta, but they could not. While Koivuranta finished first in the jumping portion, he was just 27th fastest in the 10km. “I skied hard, I think this was the best result for me so far this season,” Demong said.

Fellow American Johnny Spillane (Steamboat Springs, CO) skied the fastest 10km, 21:02.0 minutes, after placing 40th in the jumping portion of the event, boosting himself to 12th place overall. Todd Lodwick (Steamboat Springs, CO) struggled after saying he went out too hard in yesterday’s team competition finishing 14th overall. He was ranked 32nd after jumping and skied the seventh fastest 10km to come in 14th.

Conditions Sunday were sunny and beautiful with only a slight tailwind for jumping. “It was nice to take the wind out of the competition. A lot of guys weren’t jumping that far today so there was a chance for the fast skiers to put themselves into good position,” Nordic Combined Coach Chris Gilbertson said. “Bill had a great race today, he was fast the whole way and in the final sprint he was able to maintain second. It was great for him.”

The team now heads to Val di Fiemme, Italy next weekend before returning to North America for the Olympic test events in Whistler, BC. Full results can be found here.

Results (brief)

1. Anssi Koivuranta (Fin) – (1/27)
2. Billy Demong (USA) – (18/2) +6.7
3. Bjoern Kircheisen (Ger) – (18/3) +7.1
4. Mario Stecher (Aut) – (2/23) +7.2
5. Tino Edelmann (Ger) – (14/9) +8.2
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12. Johnny Spillane (USA) – (40/1) +48.6
14. Todd Lodwick (USA) – (32/7) +54.1
33. Brett Camerota (USA) – (22/38) +2.01.6