A strong finish by an athlete better known for jumping than skiing secures Japan third place in the Beijing Olympic Nordic combined relay in the nation s first podium finish in the event since winning gold in 1992 and 1994.
Two-time silver medalist Akito Watabe s chance of claiming a first Olympic gold is in jeopardy after his jump left him tied for ninth place going into the cross-country phase of the normal hill individual Nordic combined event at the Beijing Games.
In a sport traditionally dominated by long-legged northern Europeans, Japanese Nordic combined skier Akito Watabe has bucked the trend on his way to two straight Olympic silver medals.