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Weather Plays Role in Montafon Combined

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
September, 3 2015

MONTAFON, Austria (Sept. 2, 2015) - The day dawned with blue skies in the Montafon valley of western Austria on Wednesday, but eventually mother nature took it’s toll with a crazy day in the FIS Nordic Combined Summer Grand Prix. Austria’s Mario Seidl claimed the the victory at the new venue of Tschagguns and Partenen in Austria’s Montafon valley. He crossed the finish line 14 seconds before Japan’s Akito Watabe. Bryan Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) led the USA in 24th with brother Taylor in 28th.

The jumping round started in sunny weather but the wind picked up and increased more and more until the jury had to make the decision to cancel the competition round. 

“It was really a strange day,” said U.S. Ski Team Coach Dave Jarrett. “Both Michael (Ward) and Adam (Loomis) and great jumps in the comp round but the wind and rain came after bib 31 and they had to cancel.” 

The cancelation of the afternoon comp jump reverted start positions for cross country to the provisional compeitition round, which didn’t leave the USA in as good a position.

With results used from the provisional competition round, Bryan Fletcher found himself just over a minute back. He quickly started to close the gap, moving up to contend for the podium by 7k.

“I thought both Bryan and Taylor were well positioned after the PCR  for a top result and in fact Bryan was fighting for the podium,” said Jarrett. “But there was basically one train from third to 30th. In the pack on a long, flat downhill, Bryan lost too many places and by the time he was back to the hill he was tired and too far back. Taylor opened hard to get on the pack but couldn’t quite get through. Adam and Michael were OK but I think a bit disappointed at not getting the benefit of their comp jumps.”

“Today was closer despite the finish not reflecting it,” said Bryan Fletcher. “I was in the hunt for the podium going into the last lap. The pack was huge. Unfortunately, I had trouble hanging with the leaders of the pack at the end of the climb. Then it was long down hill into a sprint finish and I lost a few more spots. It was a wet and flat course which made it possible for anyone to step up. 
 
“The positive is jumping is getting closer and closer. Today I was only 1:10 back from in the lead at the start. Last winter that would have been a really good starting place for me. So there are some good take always coming out of these summer comps. So needless to say the that work continues!”

The Summer Grand Prix continues this weekend with competitions Friday and Saturday in Oberstdorf, Germany, site of the 2005 World Championships.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Bryan Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) led the USA at a FIS Nordic Combined Summer Grand Prix in Montafon in western Austria finishing 24th. Brother Taylor was 28th.
  • Austria's Mario Seidl took the win
  • Wind and rain forced cancelation of the jumping round, with results reverting back to the provisional competition round.
  • Michael Ward (Aspen, CO) was 39th, Adam Loomis (Eau Claire, WI) 43rd.
  • The tour now heads to Oberstdorf, Germany for comps on Friday and Saturday.


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