Noko - Schmid Provides Excitement in Riiber's Victory

Julian Schmid has avoided a German "null point" in the first World Cup competition in Lillehammer. After the jumping and the subsequent 10 km race, Schmid finished in second place.

The 25-year-old was the only German combined athlete with a chance for a podium after the jumping round. Starting in seventh place, the Oberstdorfer engaged in a thrilling sprint finish against Austrian Johannes Lamparter for second place. The finish line photo had to decide, and it showed: Schmid had the ski tip ahead. Jarl Magnus Riiber secured the victory as he has done many times before.

Riiber's advantage was practically established after the jumping phase. The Norwegian started with a jump of 101 meters, well ahead of the first pursuer, and calmly sailed to his 75th World Cup victory. This was despite Riiber having spent time in the hospital earlier in the week due to stomach issues.

Behind him, Schmid and Lamparter quickly broke away from the rest of the group, worked well together, and sprinted towards the finish line. In the end, luck favored the diligent for Schmid.

Rückfall für Geiger

Vinzenz Geiger, who traveled from Kuusamo with the yellow jersey, had a day to forget. He aimed for too much on the jump and fell after reaching only 85 meters, finishing as the weakest German in 36th place, 2:27 minutes behind Riiber by the time he hit the track just to improve his position. In the end, he finished in 29th place.

Rydzek in the Second Chasing Group

As the second-best German, Johannes Rydzek finished the first competition in wintry Lillehammer. After starting in 14th place, the 32-year-old managed to climb up to seventh place.

With the exception of Terence Weber and Wendelin Thannheimer, all other DSV combiners made significant gains in the race; Manuel Faißt and David Mach also finished in unsatisfactory 13th and 16th places respectively.

DSV Nordic combined coach Eric Frenzel had hoped to continue the story of success in Lillehammer after a dream start with seven podium finishes. "We have good memories of Lillehammer; it has often been a lucky ground for us," he said in advance.