By David Ljunggren
WHISTLER (Reuters) - Finland's Janne Ryynaenen led the Nordic Combined after the individual normal hill stage on Sunday but will find two experienced Americans snapping at his heels on the cross-country course.
Team mate Johnny Spillane was in fourth. The United States has never won a Nordic Combined medal at the Olympics and is confident of making the podium this year.
"We're ready to go today. I think it will be our day," said Brett Camerota, who finished in joint 10th.
The windy conditions toward the end of the jumping suddenly changed, making life hard for the highest-ranked athletes.
Two-time gold medalist Felix Gottwald of Austria was in 41st place, two minutes and 12 seconds behind the leader, while Magnus Moan of Norway was in 40th.
Top-ranked Jason Lamy Chappuis of France, who went last, did well to record a jump of 100 meters and was fifth.
"It was very difficult because of the wind but I managed to do not too badly ...compared to Felix Gottwald and Magnus Moan, I'm still in the running," he told reporters.
The 10 km cross country part of the competition is due to start at 9:45 p.m. British time.
(additional reporting by Julien Pretot; editing by Miles Evans)
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