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Ski jumping key to nordic combined
By Jason Swensen
Deseret News staff writer
SOLDIER HOLLOW — Yes, the Olympics are synonymous with dramatic endings, but don't expect a nordic combiner to start at the back of the pack, pass dozens of his competitors on the cross country course and win a medal in the 2002 Winter Games.
A top finish in the cross country segment of nordic skiing's "decathlon" is almost always prefaced with strong ski jumping. The medals for the nordic combined individual event — which starts today with a pair of jumps on the 90-meter hill at Utah Olympic Park — will likely be claimed by guys who aren't burning precious oxygen chasing down superior jumpers in the cross country segment.
Gone are the days when a competitor could rely on speedy cross country racing to cover for weak jumping. Balance begets success.
"People who jump in the top five have typically made it to the podium," says Todd Lodwick, Team USA's top nordic combiner.
Lodwick and his teammates know they will need strong jumps today if they hope to compete for the country's first-ever nordic combined medal. They'll be jumping at familiar climes. The Yanks spent a good chunk of their summer taking countless leaps off Utah's Olympic jump hills.
"I've taken more jumps on the (Park City) hills over the past two years than on my home hills at Steamboat Springs," said Johnny Spillane, a USA Olympian and Colorado native.
If Lodwick, Spillane and the other Americans are near the top of the leader board following Saturday's jumps, then the altitude at Soldier Hollow could prove a loyal friend during Sunday's cross country race.
"It's definitely good to compete at altitude where I was born and raised," said team member Matt Dayton, who grew up on Colorado's "lofty" cross country courses.
Lodwick believes the team has put in the sweat needed to realize Olympic success.
"We started (preparing) 10 years ago to have this one week to shine."
E-MAIL: jswensen@desnews.com
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February 9, 2002
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