Bill Demong (L) of the U.S. celebrates with his compatriot second placed Todd Lodwick after winning the World Cup Nordic combined Gundersen competition in Alpe Cermis in Cavalese in this January 10, 2010 file photo. After almost a century of frustration, the United States finally feel optimistic about winning medals in one of the toughest Olympic sports -- the Nordic Combined, which marries ski jumping with cross-country skiing. Lodwick, 33, who came out of retirement to win the world titles in the normal hill and the 10-km mass start events last year and is taking part in his fifth Olympics. Also going to Vancouver is Demong, the world champion in the large hill. To match preview OLYMPICS-NORDIC-COMBINED/PREVIEW REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito/Files (ITALY - Tags: SPORT SKIING OLYMPICS)