France's Chappuis wins gold in nordic combined

Johnny Spillane wins silver, the U.S.'s first-ever medal in the event

Last Updated: Sunday, February 14, 2010 | 5:54 PM ET

CBC Sports

France's Jason Lamy Chappuis won gold in the men's nordic combined on Sunday. (Lars Baron/Getty Images)

France's Jason Lamy Chappuis narrowly edged out American Johnny Spillane in the 10-kilometre cross-country race to win the nordic combined Olympic gold medal on Sunday.

The 23-year-old Chappuis sat in the fifth position after the jumping portion of the event, hitting 100 metres for a points total of 124.

The current World Cup leader was a favourite to win gold, and did not disappoint in the 10-kilometre race. Chappuis finished the race in 25:47.1 at Whistler Olympic Park.

Spillane won the United States' first ever-Olympic medal in nordic combined after an extra final stretch, finishing in 25:03.5. The 29-year-old started the long-distance race in fourth position, based on his finish in the jumping event.

Italy's Alessandro Pittin won the bronze in 25:14.6, edging out American Todd Lodwick by 7-10ths of a second.

Finland's Janne Ryynaenen was in first place after the ski-jumping component, but fell to back to 26th in the 10-kilometre race.

American Bill Demong was another bright spot on the American team, finishing in sixth place after sitting 24th after his earlier jump.

Canada's Jason Myslicki, of Thunder Bay, Ont., finished 45th. He was 43rd in the ski jump, earning 93 points with a jump of 87 metres.