Lodwick places 3rd in Nordic combined World Cup event

CHAUX-NEUVE, France — Todd Lodwick earned his second World Cup podium finish in as many weeks on Saturday, placing third in a Nordic combined World Cup event to lead three U.S. men into the top six.

Magnus Moan of Norway won to deny overall World Cup leader Jason Lamy Chappuis of France a victory in front of his home fans.

Johnny Spillane of Steamboat Springs, Colo., finished fifth and Bill Demong of Vermontville, N.Y., was sixth.

“It’s awesome to have three skiers in the top six. We just keep getting better and better,” said Lodwick, also of Steamboat Springs. “It’s nice to be able to work together and get up there on the podium. We were hoping for a sweep, but there was a smart skier out there and a fast one, so it was difficult.”

The Americans took turns leading the cross-country race and were 1-2-3 until Moan took over at the start of the final lap.

He finished in 23 minutes, 30.7 seconds to beat Lamy Chappuis by 4.2 seconds. Lodwick was 7.1 seconds back and Spillane and Demong were 11.7 and 14.0 seconds off the pace, respectively.

The Americans were gunning for a sweep, said U.S. Nordic combined coach Dave Jarrett.

“All three of those guys were trading off,” Jarrett said. “They had talked to each other and worked out a plan where they’d all share the lead on each lap and try to have a team tactic.”

The trio started the cross-country race close to each other thanks to similar jump scores, but were unable to execute the plan in the end.

“It didn’t work out the way we wanted, but that’s the way it goes,” Jarrett said. “One on the podium and three in the top six is still a good day.”

The teamwork was important to Lodwick as he, Demong and Spillane get ready for the start of the Vancouver Olympics on Feb. 12.

“I think it’s important for the whole team. It enables us to work together and work out a strategy,” Lodwick said. “I think we need to keep in mind that we’re here to win this and we’re going to do anything possible to do that.”

Sunday’s race will be the last for the U.S. Nordic team before the Olympics. They will head home for rest and a pre-Olympic camp in Park City, Utah, in early February.