Fastest Rollski for Taylor
OBERSTDORF, Germany (Sept. 4, 2015) - Taylor Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) found his roller ski groove Friday, winning the 10k race to move up from 39th after jumping to finish 19th in a FIS Nordic Combined Summer Grand Prix in Oberstdorf. Germany’s Johannes Rydzek took the win by 13 seconds over Japan’s Akito Watabe.
Ben Berend (Steamboat Springs, CO) jumped to 29th to lead the USA with a jump of 119.0 meters on the HS137.0 meter hill. Bryan Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) was right behind in 30th at 118.0 meters. Brother Taylor was 39th with a 114.5 meter ride, with Jasper Good (Steamboat Springs, CO) 42nd at 112.0 meters.
“It was a good day on the hill for Ben Berend and Jasper Good,” said Coach Dave Jarrett. “While Ben didn’t have his best race he continues to improve. Jasper did a good job and also continues to improve. Bryan and Taylor are jumping better and better and are about five meters from being right there. The gap will continue to narrow.”
Jumping is getting closer and closer. FIS is also experimenting with 1.8pts/minute on the large hill now vs 1.5pts/minute.
Big smile from Bryan Fletcher during jumping on the towering 137.0 meter Oberstdorf hill. (FIS-Sandra Volk)
Fletcher set a good pace through the 10k roller ski segment, moving up quickly.
“I felt like I was in control with my race, which was surprising as I was not in a great mood after the jumping,” said Taylor Fletcher. “I feel that I have been pretty close but my timing and commitment have been off on the hill. I have always really liked this hill, but today it pushed my limits mentally a little more then normal.”
Taylor Fletcher had been second fastest a few days earlier in Austria with his eyes set on leading.
“In the race I had so good groups in front of me and knew that they were catchable but wanted to ski hard but much smarter than in Austria,” he said. “I felt like I did that all the way to the end but got stuck behind the few people in front of me on the finishing hill. Tomorrow is a new day and hopefully I can put in a better effort on the hill”
Taylor Fletcher ended up 19th, 1:32.7 back from the winner. Bryan Fletcher was 25th with Good 40th. Berend did not finish.
The Grand Prix tour wraps up Saturday night in Oberstdorf, the site of the 2005 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. The Fletcher brothers, Berend and Adam Loomis (Eau Claire, WI) will get the final starts.
RESULTS
Official Results