Nordic combined skier comes out of retirement
to try for Olympic gold in 2010
By John F. Russell
Todd Lodwick trains near
Strawberry Park earlier this week. Lodwick
is coming off a strong camp in Norway, and
he appears to be on track to regain a spot
with the national team this season. Steamboatpilot.com
— Photo by John F. Russell
Steamboat Springs — The golden
trees lining Strawberry Park hillsides last week
served as a reminder for Nordic combined skier Todd
Lodwick as he continued to train for his return
to the world stage.
Lodwick hopes to see Olympic gold in 2010.
The four-time Olympian from Steamboat Springs retired
after the 2005-06 season, but last spring announced
his intent to return and pursue the Olympic medal
that has eluded him.
On Thursday, he took a few minutes away from a roller-skiing
session to chat about his efforts to return to international
competition.
Things “are going great. The Norway trip was a reminder
that I’m doing the right thing,” Lodwick said.
Lodwick was part of a large group of American Nordic
combined skiers and coaches that traveled to Norway
at the end of August to train with members of the
Norwegian and French teams.
America’s top athletes — including Lodwick, Bill
Demong and Johnny Spillane — all looked strong,
leaving American coaches excited about the upcoming
season.
Lodwick’s hopes of a successful return were bolstered
after he won a cross-country portion of a sprint
event that included several top World Cup-level
competitors.
“Todd’s been awesome,” U.S. Nordic combined coach
Dave Jarrett said. “He’s been a great teammate to
Billy (Demong) and Johnny (Spillane). He brings
a lot to the table.”
Lodwick feels like he can make an impact this season,
and his results during the camp in Norway show that
he is on the right track.
“I’ve never asked for a free pass,” Lodwick said.
“I’ve been working really hard, and I want to earn
my place with this team.”
Among the goals he hopes to reach are a return to
the top level of the World Cup, a shot at this February’s
FIS Nordic World Ski Championships and another shot
at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia.
“Winning the cross-country event in Lillehammer
was a big boost for my confidence,” Lodwick said
of the August training session. “The event had a
lot of top World Cup skiers, and I don’t feel like
I’m that far off the pace.”
He said the cross-country events have been fun and
easy but admits he still is working to improve his
jumping.
“I’ve only had 120 jumps since I returned,” Lodwick
said. “It’s there, but it’s going to take some time
to get back to where I was before I retired.”
Jarrett agrees and is urging Lodwick to take things
slowly while concentrating on reaching his long-term
goals, including World Championships and the 2010
Olympics.
“Todd’s jumping has been a little inconsistent,”
Jarrett said. “But we need to be patient, and we
have to remember that he’s been away for nearly
two years. We don’t need him to be on top of his
game in December or January. We want him this February.”
Lodwick says the hardest part of the comeback attempt
has nothing to do with ski jumping, cross-county
skiing or competitors from Germany or Austria.
“The biggest challenge has been raising money to
pay for this stuff,” Lodwick said.
Because he is not an official member of the U.S.
Team, Lodwick has been forced to find outside funding
to pay for travel, living and other expenses.
Jarrett is hoping to keep Lodwick close to home,
at least for the first period of the Nordic combined
World Cup season. He expects Lodwick to compete
in Continental Cup events in Steamboat Springs;
Park City, Utah; and at the Vancouver Winter Olympic
Park. If things go well, the Steamboat Springs’
Olympian could be back on the World Cup circuit
by the second period of the season.
