OLIMPICS, NORDIC COMBINED. No, it was not a surprise or a sensation. Althought the starting position after the jumping was not the best. A fifth place is not what Jason Lamy Chappuis wants. He dominated the training and competition at the hills so often this winter and got himself in a good starting position for the race.

Jason Lamy Chappuis of France jumps in the trial round during the Nordic Combined Men's Individual NH on day 3 of the 2010 Winter Olympics at Whistler Olympic Park Ski Jumping Stadium on February 14, 2010 in Whistler, Canada. (February 13, 2010 - Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images North America)

Jason Lamy Chappuis won his sixth competition this season, and that at Olympic Games. At the end the French was 0.4 seconds ahead of Johnny Spillane and 0.8 seconds ahead of Alessandro Pittin. For the USA and Italy these were the first nordic combined Olympic medals in history. The medal for the USA was expected due to their strong team, the medal for Italy was more of a surprise because of the one-man-show of the athlete from Friuli.

Janne Ryynaenen of Finland competes during the Nordic Combined Men's Individual NH on day 3 of the 2010 Winter Olympics at Whistler Olympic Park Ski Jumping Stadium on February 14, 2010 in Whistler, Canada. (February 13, 2010 - Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images North America)

Janne Ryynaenen of Finland competes during the Nordic Combined Men's Individual NH on day 3 of the 2010 Winter Olympics at Whistler Olympic Park Ski Jumping Stadium on February 14, 2010 in Whistler, Canada. (February 13, 2010 - Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images North America)

The first nordic combined competition in the Whistler Olympic Park promised to be very exciting, and it was. More than a dozen athletes were candidates to win a medal, Todd Lodwick (USA) was fourth and only 1.5 seconds behind the winner.

Todd Lodwick of United States leads a pack of athletes during the Nordic Combined Men's Individual 10km on day 3 of the 2010 Winter Olympics at Whistler Olympic Park Cross-Country Stadium on February 14, 2010 in Whistler, Canada. (February 13, 2010 - Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images North America)

Jason Lamy Chappuis told later that he was born in Montana, not far from Vancouver, and lived there for five years so he feels like home and the long break now is not bad for him. "So I have time to celebrate." He also a story that gives goose bumps. "I was a kid when I saw the victory of Fabrice Guy in 1992. And I said that I want to be like him, an Olympic Champion. Today is the best day of my career, a dream came true. I achieved what I always wanted in my life."

Hard work with the coaches and teammates ("it's an individual sport, but also a team sport"), believing in yourself, and the right equipment made Chappuis an Olympic champion. "It seemed that Johnny Spillane broke away in the last climb and I thought that Gold was not possible for me anymore. But then he got slower, maybe he also didn't have such a good ski like I had. The last 100 m were just fantastic, it was so much fun."

Also Johnny Spillane was satisfied with the result. "Today was a pretty good day for me. All in all I'm satisfied with Silver." The American also said that the conditions during the jumping were difficult. "I did not do very well in training, but showed one of my best jumps in the competition. In the race it was clear towards the end of the third lap that many athletes can win. When I attacked I exceeded my limit and was already tired when we reached that stadium."

Jason Lamy Chappuis of France crosses the finish line to win the gold medal during the Nordic Combined Men's Individual 10km on day 3 of the 2010 Winter Olympics at Whistler Olympic Park Cross-Country Stadium on February 14, 2010 in Whistler, Canada. (February 13, 2010 - Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images North America)

At least he could defend the second place ahead of Alessandro Pittin, the surprise of the first competition. "That's unbelievable, it's the best day of my life. I never thought that I could win a medal here." He started the race as sixth, didn't feel well during the first three laps. "I gave my all on the last lap. I'm very happy. I realized that nobody wanted to take the lead from the Americans in the group and that their tactics was maybe not right. Others were doing better at the end of the race."

Besides Spillane and Lodwick also Bill Demong was in the Top 10 as sixth. Magnus Moan, who was the fastest in the race, moved up from 40th to ninth. Janne Ryynaenen, the winner of the jumping, fell in the first lap and finished 26th.

The day brought good and bad results for the Germans and Austrians. Eric Frenzel, Tino Edelmann, Bjoern Kircheisen and Johannes Rydzek were 10th, 18th, 22nd, 28th. Mario Stecher, Felix Gottwald, David Kreiner and Christoph Bieler were 5th, 14th, 15th and 25th. For Gottwald this was the first race at Olympics since 1998 in which he could not win a medal. 2002 he won three Bronze medals, 2006 two Gold and one Silver.

Hannu Manninen was 13th, he was 2nd after the jumping. "However, I get self confidence out of this result", the Finn told. "I'm only here for three days, still suffer from jetlag and other things. I believe that I'm ready for the upcoming races."

FISnordiccombined.com
15.02.2010 00:44

Johnny Spillane (silver) of United States, Jason Lamy Chappuis (gold) of France and Alessandro Pittin (bronze) of Italy pose during the flower ceremony following the Nordic Combined Men's Individual 10km on day 3 of the 2010 Winter Olympics at Whistler Olympic Park Cross-Country Stadium on February 14, 2010 in Whistler, Canada. (February 13, 2010 - Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images North America)