OBERWIESENTHAL, Germany (Aug. 30, 2015) - Olympian Taylor Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) set a torrid pace with the second fastest roller ski time to finish 12th in a FIS Nordic Combined Summer Grand Prix Sunday in Oberwiesenthal, along the Czech border. Eric Frenzel led a German sweep of the podium.
In the morning jump on the HS106 meter hill, Bryan Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) led the USA with a 92.0 meter ride for 27th. Frenzel set the pace with a huge 105.0 meter jump. Bryan Fletcher started 1:57 back from Frenzel, with brother Taylor one second behind.
The brothers Fletcher slowly overtook skier after skier to move towards the front. In the intense afternoon heat, Bryan Fletcher eventually dropped back to finish 19th while Taylor moved up to 12th.
Taylor Fletcher leads a pack up a city street in Oberwiesenthal. (FIS-Sandra Volk)
Michael Ward (Aspen, CO) had an impressive day, logging the fourth fastest roller ski time to finish 29th. Adam Loomis (Eau Claire, WI) was one spot ahead in 28th, skiing the 11th fastest roller ski team. Four U.S. athletes cracked the top 30.
In the team sprint event on Saturday, the brothers Fletcher combined to finish 11th with Ben Berend and Jasper Good (both Steamboat Springs, CO) 22nd.
“For the race I have to be happy,” said Taylor Fletcher. “It was our first race of the year and it's always hard to know where you stand against the European teams as we have no contact at all until these comps.”
The competition was more challenging as ski bags had not yet arrived, so Taylor was jumping in new skis. In addition, new equipment measuring systems were nerve racking for athletes with a host of disqualifications amidst new procedures.
“My jump was pretty much consistently my average over these last couple weeks,” said Taylor. “The race was in the heart of the city, which is always very fun with a good amount of people that come to watch. I started pretty close to how I wanted and not like I always do too which is too hard at the beginning. I think my middle lap may have been pretty hard which killed me for the last lap but I went hard till 150 meters when all I could think about was a cold shower and getting out of the 33C heat.”
“In the race the temperatures were up there,” said Bryan Fletcher. “At 2 p.m. in the day it was hot and humid! I have to again commend the organizing committee as they had the fire department there to mist water on the skiers each lap.
“Performance wise, our team skied well,” he added. “We don't put a ton of importance on racing well in these events. Our goals are set in the winter, and that's when we want to perform. Obviously we are giving it all we have out there but our shape is still coming.”
The Summer Grand Prix is part of a vital training period for the U.S. team, providing an opportunity to visit different jumping venues and get a sense of speed compared to the top teams in the sport.
“Summer Grand Prix is mainly a way to see how our summer training especially jumping has been,” said Head Coach Dave Jarrett. “Both Bryan and Taylor have had good summers on the jumping hill. Taylor has also been extremely fast in many of our test races too. I am excited to see how everyone stacks up.”
The FIS Summer Grand Prix continues this week in Tschagguns, Austria before winding up next weekend with a pair of events in Oberstdorf, Germany. Fields in the Grand Prix include most of the top athletes in the sport.
Taylor Fletcher (bib 29) moves up on the outside as the pack comes through the city streets of Oberwiesenthal. (FIS-Sandra Volk)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Taylor Fletcher had the second fastest roller ski leg to move up from 29th to 12th in a FIS Nordic Combined Summer Grand Prix in Oberwiesenthal.
- Eric Frenzel led a German podium sweep.
- Bryan Fletcher was 19th leading four Americans into the top 19.
- The Summer Grand Prix now heads to Austria. The USA has six athletes on the tour.
QUOTES
Dave Jarrett, Head Coach
Summer Grand Prix is mainly a way to see how our summer training especially jumping has been. Both Bryan and Taylor have had good summers on the jumping hill. Taylor has also been extremely fast in many of our test races too. I am excited to see how everyone stacks up.
Taylor Fletcher
For the race I have to be happy. It was our first race of the year and it's always hard to know where you stand against the European teams as we have no contact at all until these comps.
My jump was pretty much consistently my average over these last couple weeks. I have been capable of much better jumps and I have shown it but I do feel they are much better then last year. So again that is a important step forward.
The race was in the heart of the city, which is always very fun with a good amount of people that come to watch. I started right behind Bryan and a few other strong skiers so I didn't have to close any games right away. I started pretty close to how I wanted and not like I always do too which is too hard at the beginning. I think my middle lap may have been pretty hard which killed me for the last lap but I went hard till 150 meters when all I could think about was a cold shower and getting out of the 33C heat.
I feel it was a solid day for the team as well. Michael skied strong moving up a good amount and having the fourth fastest time making it to 29th and just behind Adam in 28th. Bryan had a decent day as well finishing in 19th.
Bryan Fletcher
The comp today in Oberweisenthal took place in front of an enthusiastic and supportive crowd. The jumping went OK. I felt a little off my game this weekend and believe I can improve for out next events.
In the race the temperatures were up there. At 2 p.m. in the day it was hot and humid! I have to again commend the organizing committee as they had the fire department there to mist water on the skiers each lap.
Performance wise our team skied well. We don't put a ton of importance on racing well in these events. Our goals are set in the winter, and that's when we want to perform. Obviously we are giving it all we have out there but our shape is still coming.
Nonetheless, Tay had second fastest time. Michael Ward notched a career best finish and a fourth fastest time. Adam Loomis finished in points at 28th place with an 11th fastest time. So overall I would say it's not a bad start to the Summer Grand Prix comps. Looking forward to Tschagguns, we hope to improve upon the results of this weekend and fight for some top tens or podiums!
RESULTS
Individual HS106 meter/10km - Aug. 28, 2015
Team Sprint - Aug. 27, 2015
Bryan Fletcher does a warmup jump above the city of Oberwiesenthal before the competition. (Adam Loomis)
