March 15, 2013 (Oslo, Norway) – Taylor Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) skied an impressive race, moving up to fifth from 23rd and finishing 25 seconds back from his initial 1:31 deficit after the jump. Fletcher led the chase pack for most of the cross-country portion and clocked the fastest time of the day, 17 seconds faster than anyone else.

On the last lap, France’s Jason Lamy-Chappius broke ahead of Fletcher. He kept pace but didn’t have enough energy to outsprint him in the finish for fourth place. Eric Frenzel from Germany won the event, locking in the Nordic Combined World Cup title.

“Today was a very solid day. I was thinking after the jumping that I had a good shot at another podium. I went out hard from the stadium but pretty controlled on the hills the first lap, then sped up a little each lap. I made my way into the groups pretty easily and went right to the front once I was there. I lead from the start of the third lap and tried to drop everybody, but Jason Lamy-Chappius and a couple others were able to hang on,” said Fletcher.

Bryan Fletcher (Taylor’s brother, also of Steamboat Springs, CO) completed the best U.S. jump, earning 104.1 points and starting 1:14 back in 17th. Bryan finished 11th. Billy Demong(Vermontville, NY) also skied an impressive race after he moved up from 31st to finish 15th. Todd Lodwick (Steamboat Springs, CO) also moved up in the from 42nd to finish 37th.

“I didn’t know that it was just the German Rydzek and Jason behind me! I was telling them to help out, but by the time I realized that Rydzek wouldn’t help because of [teammate] Frenzel ahead of me it was on the second to last hill! So I tried to drop both of them but only got one to drop. I was close to 3rd and Jason is so good at finishing that I got smoked. I was happy with the result and look forward to my last race of the year. I feel strong so I will make a strong charge on the brutal course and try to get my second podium and first win,” he added

The final World Cup event of the season kicks off Saturday in Oslo, when the top Nordic Combined athletes try out a special two jump/15k format.

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