It was a case of weather favouring the underdog at Whistler Olympic Park today as the men's individual Nordic combined jumping portion succumbed to a gusty winds, giving the U.S. an advantage and an unprecedented two medals in the event.
Bill Demong won gold and Johnny Spillane won silver after some long hill jumpers had to launch in driving, wet snow and a tail wind that pushed athletes down early.
"It's like a lottery," said France's Jason Lamy Chappuis, the World Cup leader. "Some guys got good conditions, some others terrible conditions."
Chappuis won the gold in the normal hill 10-km earlier this week, but after this morning's jump, started the race portion in 29th and finished 18th.
Demong was standing sixth after the jump and Spillane, second, behind Austria's Bernhard Gruber going into the concluding 10-km cross-country ski race. Demong quickly sped by other contenders and joined Spillane after a few kilometers to chase Gruber, who had a 34-second head start on Spillane to start the race.
Demong, who started the race 46 seconds behind Gruber, finished in 24:46:9. Spillane, who was 34 seconds back on the start, came in 25:02.9. Gruber got the bronze by finishing in 25:43.7.
