December 13, 2009 (Park City, UT) – Todd Lodwick opened up this season like he closed it last Spring, in total control. On Saturday, Lodwick, one of the nation’s top Nordic combined athletes ever, set the pace with strong jumping and cross-country skiing skills to the the opening Continential Cup of the season in the USA, on the 2002 Olympic facilities in Park City, U.

While the rest of the world’s elite enjoyed a rare weekend off with the race in Harrachov cancelled and moved to Engleberg, SUI, Lodwick demonstrated his larger-than-life presence on the sport.

The competition also proved a good one for Canadian Nordic combined veteran Jason Myslicki, a native of Thunder Bay, Ont. He was in 29th following the jump and moved up to a most impressive 8th overall, following the xc. Canadian combined coach Scott Johnstone was pleased, “I’m really happy with the way he raced. He wanted to start out conservatively and pick off people as the race progressed, and he did just that. “

Many of the field were top world cup skiers. Austrian Tomaz Druml and second, while third went to Steffen Tepel of Germany. Lodwick led after the one jump and used his power to hammer through heavy snow, to win the 10km xc race. Lodwick’s margin of victory was 44.4 seconds over the Austrian.

US Ski Team assistant coach Greg Poirier said Lodwick’s win came as no surprise. “but his level of skiing shows that he’ll be a tough competitors on the World Cup.” Lodwick added, “I have just one goal in mind – the Olympic Games.” He will travel to Ramsau, Austria soon for the WCup there.

The USA’s Alex Miller finished a personal best of fourth, off the podium by just 10 seconds. Competition concludes on Sunday with a 2pm event at Soldier Hollow. Following that the tour will move to Lake Placid, NY.

Results

1. Todd Lodwick, Steamboat Springs, CO (1/2) 34:29.5
2. Tomaz Druml, Austria, (8/1) +00.44.4
3. Steffen Tepel, Germany, (23/3) +02:09.0
4. Alex Miller, Steamboat Springs, CO, (10/8) +02:19.9
5. Mark Schlott, Germany, (18/7) +2:32.5
8. Jason Myslicki, Canada
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9. Taylor Fletcher, Steamboat Springs, CO, (35/4) +02:56.3
11. Eric Camerota, Park City, UT, (11/17) +03:03.4
21. Carl Van Loan, Andover, NH, (37/13) +03:59.4
30. Willy Graves, Putney, VT, (12/30) +04:34.2
31. Nick Hendrickson, Park City, UT, (46/11) +04:45.4
37. Alex Glueck, Steamboat Springs, CO, (40/26) +05:19.3
41. Cliff Field, Steamboat Springs, CO, (45/42) +07:03.2
43. Michael Ward, Steamboat Springs, CO, (47/43) +07:32.1
46. Brett Denney, Steamboat Springs, CO, (52/45) +08:31.2
49. Erik Lynch, (50/49) 09:28.9