Fast Opener for Combined in Lillehammer

LILLEHAMMER, Norway (Dec. 5, 2015) - Winds continued to play a role, but the FIS Nordic Combined World Cup tour got underway with Germany's Fabian Riessle setting a torrid pace to claim the win. Bryan Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) led the USA in 11th.

After winds wiped out opening weekend in Finand a week earlier, officials Saturday were forced to cancel the planned team jump due to wind. The team event was canceled and replaced with an individual competition. Sunday will be a second individual event. 

Bryan Fletcher had a strong jump on Friday, standing 15th - 47 seconds behind the leader. He moved up and was skiing much of the race in the top 10. But the pace set by Riessle was so fast that Fletcher's chase group simply couldn't close the gap. 

"It was a pretty good start," said Head Coach Dave Jarrett. "It was a good race but today the front was so fast that it was hard for Bryan’s group to close. Both Bryan and Taylor have been jumping pretty well and we are psyched for another chance tomorrow."

"Today was a decent opener," said Bryan Fletcher. "My jumping was stronger than it has been in a while and it put me in the hunt which I hope to continue. I struggled a little on the race course today. I wasn't my usual self and didn't have great legs but was able to hang tough."

Sunday's second individual event will be streamed live on NBC Sports Live Extra.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Bryan Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) led the USA finishing 11th in the FIS Nordic Combined World Cup opener.
• Wind continued to play a role, forcing an adjustment in schedule, swapping Sunday's individual event to Saturday and moving the team event to Sunday.
• Taylor Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) was 26th with the 12th fastest cross country time.
• Adam Loomis (Eau Claire, WI) was 37th with Jasper Good (Steamboat Springs, CO) 51st in his World Cup debut.
• Sunday's team event will stream live on NBC Sports Live Extra.

QUOTES
Bryan Fletcher
Today was a decent opener. My jumping was stronger than it has been in a while and it put me in the hunt which I hope to continue. I struggled a little on the race course today. I wasn't my usual self and didn't have great legs but was able to hang tough. Since today's team event was cancelled and we used the PCR, tomorrow will be another individual event. So it's another shot to chase a good result and I am really excited to have another opportunity. 

Dave Jarrett, Head Coach
It was a pretty good start. We always have high hopes for the cross country race. It was a good race but today the front was so fast that it was hard for Bryan’s group to close. We didn’t have the fastest cross country times today but we know we can ski with anyone. Both Bryan and Taylor have been jumping pretty well and we are psyched for another chance tomorrow.

STREAMING SCHEDULE (times EST) - NBC Sports Live Extra  
3:00 a.m. - Combined jump
8:15 a.m. - Combined cross country

RESULTS
Individual 10k Gundersen