Bryan Fletcher leads U.S. in Grand Prix
Nordic Combined
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 - By US Ski Team
OBERTSDORF, Germany (Aug. 7) – Members of the U.S. Nordic Combined Team headed straight to Germany for the Grand Prixs after the backcountry.com U.S. Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Championships. Bryan Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) was the top American finishing in 19th, while Germany's Eric Frenzel took home the victory.
Saturday's competition was the first of four nordic combined Grand Prix competitions this summer. Germany claimed the top two spots on the podium, with Frenzel in first, with the winning time of 26:15.30, followed by countryman Johanns Rydek in second. Magnus-H. Moan of Norway landed the final spot on the podium, finishing 14 seconds behind Rydek.
Bryan Fletcher and younger brother Taylor Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) had a solid day of competition, finishing in 19th and 29th. The Fletcher brother's ten-spot difference was only separated by 25 seconds, scoring their first points on the 2010-11 season.
"Not too bad today for the Fletcher brothers," said U.S. Nordic Combined Head Coach Dave Jarrett. "The main goal of this trip was to get points for these guys."
Olympic silver medalist Brett Camerota (Park City, UT) struggled with the jump potion of the combined, finishing the day's competition in 39th. Camerota is coming straight off his first U.S. Championship title. The event was held in Park City on Aug. 1.
"While Brett didn't jump as well he is capable of we are looking forward to tomorrow and next weekend for the Camerota's," said Jarrett.
The Team will be back at the top of the jump again Sunday morning for the second and final Grand Prix competition held in Obertsdorf. The Grand Prix will switch venues to Oberwiesenthal Aug. 13-14.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
FIS Grand Prix
Obertsfdorf, Germany - August 7, 2010
Nordic Combined
1. Eric Frenzel, Germany, 26:15.30
2. Johannes Rydek, Germany, 26:51.40
3. Magnus-H. Moan, Norway, 27:05.70
4. Jan Schmid, Norway, 27:23.80
5. Alessandro Pittin, Itlay, 27:33.00
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19. Bryan Fletcher, Steamboat Springs, CO, 28:09.40
29. Taylor Fletcher, Steamboat Springs, CO, 28:34.10
39. Brett Camerota, Park City, UT, 29:56.50