Bryan Fletcher added another jewel to an already star-studded Nordic Combined career, winning his first national title at the U.S. Nordic Combined Championships in Lake Placid. Fletcher parlayed a strong jump to take the win in roller skiing over brother Taylor, who won the roller ski. Adam Loomis took bronze. Despite a career marked by a World Championship medal and King's Cup victory, it was Fletcher's first U.S. title after a host of bronze medals.

Fletcher set himself up for his win with a great 90.5 metre jump, putting an almost insurmountable lead of one minute and 34 seconds between him an younger brother Taylor after the ski jumping part. Taylor, who jumped 80 metres started four seconds earlier than young teammate Adam Loomis who ended the jumping part just one point behind Taylor Fletcher, tying at 90 points with his brother Ben Loomis.

Ranks five and six went to Jasper Good and veteran Bill Demong who started one minute and 50 seconds and two minutes behind Fletcher.

In the race, Bryan Fletcher managed to keep brother Taylor off his back even though the younger Fletcher lived up to his reputation as lightning-fast skier and set the fastest time of the race with 25:32.5, making up about 45 seconds on the hard course. In the end, Bryan Fletcher still had a clear advantage of 54 seconds before his brother crossed the finish line to take the silver medal. Adam Loomis managed to hold on to his third rank and make the jump on the podium by finishing one minute and 58 seconds after Fletcher. Ranks four to six went to Bill Demong, Brett Denney and Colin Delaney.

Source: fis-ski.com