Finland leads nordic combined going into cross-country portion

Janne Ryynaenen lead the Finnish nordic combined team to first place in the large hill event with the farthest jump on Tuesday. His teammate Anssi Koivuranta earned the highest judges point total on his jump.

Team Finland is set to start first in the cross-country portion, a 4×5-kilometer relay race, beginning at 2:00 p.m. PT.

The United States, lead by silver medallist in the individual normal hill event Johnny Spillane, will start just two seconds later.  Todd Lodwick and Bill Demong, who finished fourth and sixth respectively in the individual normal hill, will compete alongside Spillane.

Austria’s team finished third in the jumping portion and will start 36 seconds behind Finland. Mario Stecher placed fifth in the individual event.

Japan is set to start five seconds after Austria, followed by France. Jason Lamy-Chappuis overcame a 46 second deficit, behind Finland’s Ryynaenen, to win the individual normal hill gold medal in week one of these Olympics. His French team will have 43 seconds to make up to win gold in this race.

Germany will start next 45 seconds behind Finland then Norway six seconds later followed by Czech Republic a 1:06 back of the lead. Swtizerland will start a 1:34 after Finland.

Italy will start last, over two minutes behind.  Individual bronze medallist Alessandro Pittin began 48 seconds back in his event.

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By: Katelyn Peer
Posted: Feb 23 2010 3:21 pm
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Filed under: Winter Games
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