February 21, 2018 (PyeongChang, South Korea) – USA Nordic athlete Bryan Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) led the Americans in PyeongChang today in the Nordic Combined individual event, finishing 17th and posting a top-ten result. Conditions were cold and breezy at the Alpensia Ski Jumping Stadium in PyeongChang.

Fletcher, who was 17th in the Normal Hill individual competition last week, found himself in 23rd, 2:04 behind the leader Akito Watabe of Japan, after a jump of 120.5 meters. Benjamin Berend (Steamboat Springs, CO) had a great jump of 124 meters and, after wind compensation, was just a few seconds behind Fletcher in 24th. Ben Loomis (Eau Claire, WI) was 43rd after the jumping and Jasper Good (Steamboat Springs, CO) began the race in 46th.

Packs formed early at the front of the race, with a trio of Germans chasing down the three leaders and setting the pace for the field. Fletcher pushed from the start, working his way up the field every lap. Fletcher moved quickly into the teens, moving up as high as 14th, but lost a little bit of ground in the final kilometer to finish 17th. Despite the tough finish, Fletcher still posted the 10th fastest time, only 18 seconds off the pace.

“It was a hard course,” said Fletcher, “but I really enjoyed the flow. Today was close again, I went all in from the start, hoping I’d be able to pull the whole time and still sprint at the end, but, unfortunately, I blew up a little bit at the end. At the end of the day, it was all about giving it my all with the right attitude and, for sure, I did that.”

The result tied Fletcher’s best Olympic result, which came last week, and was again the best result since American Bill Demong won gold in 2010 in Vancouver. Berend was the next best American, finishing 39th after a gutsy race.

“All in all, I had two decent days at the Olympics, so I’m happy,” said Fletcher.

It was a good day for Berend in his Olympic debut, who did not compete on the Normal Hill. Loomis improved on his best Olympic result, finishing just behind Berend in 40th place. As did Jasper Good, finishing 43rd for the day.

The Nordic Combined team will have one more chance to make some noise in the team event which will be held on the HS142 on Thursday, February 22.

Results here.