17.12.2008

Lodwick wins despite weather
American hops back on top after two-year hiatus
On a weekend when weather made it bad to be a ski jumper, at least it was really good to be an American at the International Ski Federation (FIS) Nordic Combined Continental Cup season-opener. With a weekend full of wild weather, the American Continental Cup ski-jumping team managed to make the best of a bad situation, with Todd Lodwick winning the competition on both days, despite canceled and delayed events. [more]

06.12.2008

Moan wins Nordic combined in Norway
Magnus Moan of Norway won a World Cup Nordic combined event on his home trails Saturday while Bill Demong of the United States finished fourth. Moan edged Jason Lamy Chappuis of France by 0.7 seconds in the 10-kilometer cross-country ski race, finishing in 24 minutes, 49.6 seconds. Anssi Koivuranta of Finland was third, 1.5 seconds back, and Demong was 2.2 seconds behind. "It's great to win on my home track," Moan said. [more]

27.11.2008

Nordic combined looks to new format in post-Manninen era
Nordic combined skiing has undergone a complete overhaul to raise its popularity but has lost its superstar Hannu Manninen when the World Cup season starts on Saturday. Manninen, 30, announced his retirement in May, quitting after a poor 2007-08 season. He is the sport's most decorated athlete with four World Cup trophies 2004-2007, a record 45 race wins, a sprint world title and team golds at worlds and Olympics. The Finn will now watch from the sidelines as the sport twinning ski-jumping and cross-country skiing has changed face again for popularity and television reasons. [more]

27.11.2008

World Cup kicks off
Steamboat Springs — It’s been eight long months of training for the U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team. But on Saturday, the jumps and the results will count as the World Cup tour returns for another season. Steamboat’s Johnny Spillane and Alex Glueck will join Bill Demong and Eric Camerota in representing the American team at the first World Cup Nordic combined event of the season in Kuusamo, Finland. [more]

29.09.2008

Lodwick eyes return
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. [more]

21.09.2008

John F. Russell: No easy task to simplify Nordic
When I purchase something at the store, I want to rip open the box, pull the item out and start using it. I’ve never been big on instructions. Normally, I only read them when I run into a problem that I can’t figure out by punching a button, flipping a switch or asking a friend how it works. As this winter creeps closer, it appears the International Skiing Fed­eration also likes things nice and easy. It seems the FIS will simplify the sport of Nordic combined by using a one-jump, 10-kilometer race format during its planned stops this winter. [more]

29.08.2008

Ski jumpers find opportunity in Norway
Taylor Fletcher, Brett Den­ney and Cliff Field left for Lillehammer, Norway, last week in search of opportunity. The three Steamboat Springs residents are finding it. “This is an incredible opportunity,” Steamboat Springs Win­ter Sports Club coach Todd Wilson said. “Two weeks training alongside the national team. It’s great for these young skiers, and it’s a valuable experience.” [more]

26.08.2008

Lake Placid Hosts U.S. Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Championships in October
The 2009 U.S. Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Championships will feature an added element of excitement as the nation's finest nordic athletes compete on plastic jumps and inline skates for the first time in championship history this October in Lake Placid, the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) announced. The championships will take place Oct. 11th during the town's annual Flaming Leaves Festival that coincides with the Columbus Day holiday weekend and will have athletes competing on dry land as opposed to snow. [more]