Feb 17, 2009 — World championships kick off tomorrow in Nordic combined. That's the sport that combines endurance cross-country skiing with long-distance ski jumping. For Vermontville's Billy Demong, this week's competition in the Czech Republic comes at the end of what may be his best season yet. Demong is 29 years old and grew up in the Adirondacks. His career nearly ended in 2003 after he fractured his skull in a pool-diving accident. But he arrives at these championships with a new endorsement deal and fresh off a win at the World Cup competition in Germany. He spoke yesterday with Brian Mann.