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Dramatic Podium for Taylor Fletcher

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
January, 24 2015

SAPPORO, Japan (Jan. 24, 2015) - Brothers Taylor and Bryan Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) worked together to move up in a FIS Nordic Combined World Cup in Sapporo Saturday, with Taylor coming out on the podium in dramatic fashion. Taylor was third, Bryan eighth as the USA picked up its first World Cup podium since Taylor was third in Seefeld two years ago. Germany's Eric Frenzel continued to run up his win streak with his fifth straight with a 1.8 second margin over Japan's Akito Watabe with Fletcher 3.5 seconds out.

"It was a great day, for sure!" said Taylor. "I was pretty bummed out after yesterday as I knew I was capable of much better. I have known that my good jumps are good enough to put me in a position to fight for the top three. I went out with a clear mind and knew what I needed to do on the ski jump to make it happen."

Taylor soared 123.0 meters on his jump, putting him 28th - one spot behind brother Bryan with both starting over two minutes behind the leaders.

The two worked together quickly to move up, cutting nearly a minute off the gap in the first of four 2.5k laps.

"I knew that I wasn’t going to be as close to the front of the race as I wanted," said Fletcher. "But I also knew that the leaders aren’t the fastest and that it would only be (Eric) Frenzel in the lead after a few laps." Heading into the third lap. Taylor had the leader's in sight. "When I came around on the third lap, I was very surprised to see the leaders so close to me and knew if I put in some great efforts I could bridge the gap."

Taylor surged forward and took over the lead on the fourth lap, but eventually succumbed to Frenzel and Watabe to take third. Taylor posted the fastest cross country time, with brother Bryan second fastest with a big gap to the rest of the field.

"Today was even more special as Bryan was eighth again and proving that he is one of the top skiers on the circuit!," said Taylor. 

"I skied smart today, conserved energy and was able to continue climbing on the fourth lap to finish inside the top 10 in eighth but fighting for fifth," said Bryan. "Overall I am very happy to have both Taylor and I in the top 10."

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Taylor Fletcher was third for the first USA podium in two years - his third place finish in Seefeld, Austria in January, 2013.
  • Bryan Fletcher posted his sixth top-10 finish of the season.
  • The tour now heads back to Europe for events in Val di Fiemme, Italy before heading to Falun, Sweden for the World Championships in late February.

QUOTES
Taylor Fletcher
It was a great day, for sure! I was pretty bummed out after yesterday as I knew I was capable of much better. I have known that my good jumps are good enough to put me in a position to fight for the top three. I went out with a clear mind and knew what I needed to do on the ski jump to make it happen. I was able right away to get some good feelings after a better trial round and bring that with me. The competition jump was, hands down, my best jump of the season. I had some help with the wind, but, that being said, I produced a jump that could benefit with good wind. 

I knew that I wasn’t going to be as close to the front of the race as I wanted. But I also knew that the leaders aren’t the fastest and that it would only be Frenzel in the lead after a few laps. When I came around on the third lap, I was very surprised to see the leaders so close to me and knew if I put in some great efforts I could bridge the gap. On the fourth lap on the long gradual hill, I knew that if I went hard earlier many of the skiers wouldn’t be with me and when I did, I saw only two more behind me (Watabe, Frenzel). I gave it everything I had on the next two hills, but they were just a bit stronger than me going into the finish. 
 
It has been two years since I was on the podium in 2013 and this was huge for me as I know I can continue with this as long as I keep jumping this way. 
 
Today was even more special as Bryan was eighth again and proving that he is one of the top skiers on the circuit! He worked hard with me on the first lap and skied the second fastest time, which is even more special. 
 
Bryan Fletcher
Today was another solid day. Taylor had an amazing day jumping putting him in 28th, his season best jumping result. He took advantage of it by skiing the fastest time in the cross country course and putting in an amazing attack to end up on the podium in third place. 
 
Personally I had an OK jump, however I by no means performed at my best. I ended up 27th and knew with Taylor right there we had a group to work and ski up with. I led the first lap and then hung onto Taylor until the third lap when he attacked. I did what I could to hang but knew I didn't have the legs to stay with him. 
 
I skied smart today, conserved energy and was able to continue climbing on the fourth lap to finish inside the top 10 in eighth but fighting for fifth. Overall I am very happy to have both Taylor and I in the top 10. And even more excited to have the first and second fastest times by 20 second and 10 seconds over the next best!
 

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