Jarl Magnus Riiber also ran confidently to victory on the second day of the Nordic Combined World Cup in Seefeld (Austria). Manuel Faißt was the best German.
Riiber had already underlined his dominance the day before and won the first of three competitions at the prestigious Nordic Combined Triple in Austria. And on Saturday (February 3rd, 2024) there was no match against the 26-year-old Norwegian.
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Three Germans in the top ten
After a jump of 109 meters, the eight-time world champion went into the 10-kilometer cross-country race with a reassuring cushion of 30 seconds and ultimately confidently maintained his lead ahead of his compatriots Jörgen Graabak (+22.7 seconds) and Jens Luraas Oftebro (+23 ,4). For Riiber it was the 67th World Cup victory and the sixth in a row. The overall victory in Seefeld can hardly be taken away from him before the final competition on Sunday.
The best German was Manuel Faißt in seventh place (+49.9 seconds), directly behind Terence Weber (+1:14.6 minutes). Vinzenz Geiger once again managed a furious comeback and improved from 32nd place to 10th place (+1:38.1).
Mach falls back after a strong jump
Behind Riiber, the Austrians Johannes Lamparter and Thomas Rettenegger took to the track almost at the same time. As was the case the day before, David Mach, the best German, followed eleven seconds behind. The 23-year-old had previously demonstrated his jumping qualities again (105.5 meters), but had to give up early on in cross-country skiing.
While Riiber increased his lead on the first lap, Faißt and Weber established themselves in the chasing group. After five kilometers, the German duo had reduced the gap to third place to 20 seconds. Rydzek, on the other hand, missed the connection and was hardly able to make up any positions.
Faißt and Weber were at the forefront for a long time
In the fight for the podium, Lamparter and the Finn Hirvonen had the best starting position heading into the last of the four laps. However, the pursuers, especially the Norwegians Graabak and Oftebro, had made up a lot of ground and closed the gap a little later. Faißt and Weber also stayed within striking distance, meaning a thrilling final spurt between seven athletes in the fight for the podium was in sight. In the last kilometer, the Norwegians managed to increase the pace decisively. Faißt and Weber, however, had to have it demolished.
During the Seefeld Triple, the length of the cross-country skiing route increases from day to day. After the 7.5 kilometers on Friday, ten kilometers will be run on Saturday before the final over 12.5 kilometers takes place on Sunday. This should particularly suit strong runners like Rydzek, Geiger or Schmid. In addition, the field is thinning out day by day, so that only the best 30 athletes will start in the final on Sunday.
Overall standings – Men’s World Cup arrow right