March 7, 2009 (Lahti, Finland) – The USA’s Bill Demong almost made it 2-for-2 on Saturday in the men’s Nordic Combined World Cup in Lahti, Finland. Demong was 4th after the jumping round and started 30 seconds behind jump leader Anssi Koivuranta of Finland. For the second day in a row Demong skied down that time gap to zero and lead the final 5km of the race into the stadium when Koivuranta – who seemed to have faster skis all day – glided past Demong and put on an impressive finishing kick break over the top of the final hill into the stadium.

At that point it looked like it would be 1-2 for Koivuranta and Demong when Norway’s Magnus Moan, who started 1:50 back from the Finnish leader today, glided up to the tails of Demong heading into the final turn in the stadium and went past the American World Champion as if he standing still and. Then in a photo-finish lunge at the line he stole the win from World Cup leader Koivuranta.

At yesterday’s 10km race Moan started in bib 20 – however today his time back increased by 20 seconds. Throughout the race he moved through the field, and similar to yesterday, it looked like he would run out of time to catch the leaders. But in truly impressive fashion, Moan came from behind for the win. Canada’s Wesley Savill was disqualified.

Complete results here

Results (brief)

1. Magnus Moan (Nor) 26:34.5
2. Anssi Koivuranta (Fin) 26:34.5
3. Bill Demong (USA)

35. Bryan Fletcher (USA) 29:52.5
40. Johnny Spillane (USA) 30:47.8
45. Eric Camerota (USA) 32:47.0
DQ. Wesley Savill (Can)