March 12, 2011 (Lahti, Finland) – Olympic Champion Billy Demong (Vermontville, NY) fronted the U.S. in 29th in a large hill (130HS/10k) Nordic combined World Cup in Lahti, Finland on Friday. Germany’s Bjoern Kircheisen, who was shutout of the individual medals at World Championships, won the event.

Continuing to struggle with the jumping portion of the nordic combined, Demong sat in 36th heading into the cross country race, two minutes forty seconds back. Needing to make up a lot of ground in the 10k, Demong had trouble finding his stride posting the 18th fastest time to place 29th. Bryan Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) finished just outside the points in 33rd.

Germany landed the top two spots with Kircheisen taking the win followed by teammate Eric Frenzel in second. Frenchman Jason Lamy Chappuis, who has clinched the World Cup title, rounded out the podium in third.

World Champions Todd Lodwick and Johnny Spillane (Steamboat Springs, CO), returned home after World Championships.

This World Cup in Lahti marks the final stop of the tour. Competition continues Saturday with another large hill event to conclude the 2010-11 season.

Full results HERE.

Results (brief)

1. Bjoern Kircheisen, Germany, (12, 2) 25:28.6
2. Eric Frenzel, Germany, (5, 9) +5.4
3. Jason Lamy Chappuis, France, (4, 15) +13.2

29. Billy Demong, Vermontville, NY, (36, 18) +2:37.3
33. Bryan Fletcher, Steamboat Springs, CO, (43, 22) +3:07.2
42. Taylor Fletcher, Steamboat Springs, CO, (46, 36) +4:13.9
49. Nick Hendrickson, Park City, UT, (54, 37) +5:13.3