Nordic Junior World Championships – Gold, Silver & Bronze: Mega Triumph for Austria

Austria’s team finished the competitions at the Nordic Junior Ski World Championships in Lake Placid on Saturday (local time) with a full set of medals – gold, silver, and bronze.

Paul Walcher, defending his title in the combined individual event, led the charge for Austria. He won his race in the 10‑km cross-country portion by finishing six seconds ahead of Japan’s Atsushi Narita, after having placed third in the ski jump round. In addition, Walcher, along with teammates Andreas Gfrerer, Katharina Gruber, and Anna-Sophia Gredler, secured a silver medal in the mixed event. Meanwhile, the ski jump quartet consisting of Sara Pokorny, Meghann Wadsak, Stephan Embacher, and Simon Steinberger claimed the bronze medal in the mixed competition.

Walcher and Gfrerer also triumphed in the team sprint on Thursday. The 19‐year-old Walcher now boasts two golds and one silver from the championships. With his individual title, Walcher has also earned the right to start in the World Cup up to the Junior World Championships in 2026. "I achieved my goal of defending the title, and the medals in the mixed team and team sprint were the icing on the cake," said Walcher. He added that competing in another race just two and a half hours later in the mixed section was a unique experience.

In the ski jumping sector, the Austrian quartet finished behind Slovenia and the USA. For the two Tirolers, Stephan Embacher and Simon Steinberger, it marked their third medal at these championships. Embacher also won the individual title, while Steinberger finished third. "The atmosphere in the team was great. We had a cool spirit and got into the competition well. It was a perfect ending," said Embacher.