NOTES

The U.S. Nordic combined team dropped from fourth after Monday’s normal-hill ski jumping to a final eighth in the 30-kilometer team cross-country race.

Joe Holland of Norwich, Vt., was the first skier out but was quickly caught and passed by Japan’s Reiichi Mikata, who helped his team to the gold medal. Norway took the silver, Austria the bronze.

Skiing behind Holland for the United States were Tim Tetreault, also of Norwich, and Ryan Heckman of Steamboat Springs, Colo. Each skied 10 kilometers.

Norwegian skiers continued their domination on the cross-country track, winning the 40K relay event. Italy was second, Finland third.

U.S. skiers were 12th.

Leadoff skier John Aalberg of Salt Lake City broke one of his poles after about three kilometers. “That happens a lot in races like this,” he said. “I had hoped for a top-10 finish.’

Skiing after Aalberg were Ben Husaby of Eden Prairie, Minn.; John Bauer of Champlin, Minn., and Luke Brodensteiner of West Bend, Wis.

The two U.S. bobsleds were among the six fastest on the second day of four-man practice at La Plagne, each breaking the one-minute barrier on a single run.

USA II, driven by Chuck Leonowicz of Clifton Park, N.Y., had the fifth-best overall time for two runs, 1:59.38, and USA II, driven by Randy Will of Endwell, N.Y., was sixth at 1:59.56.