Nowak and Mühlethaler Crowned Grand Prix Champions

Jenny Nowak and Laurent Mühlethaler have emerged as the overall champions of the 2024 FIS Nordic Combined Summer Grand Prix.

Nowak kicked off this year's Grand Prix with an impressive victory in Tschagguns, Austria. The 22-year-old made history by winning her very first Grand Prix event at the Individual Gundersen, showcasing her exceptional skills on both the ski jump and the roller ski course.

The 2020 Junior World Champion added to her accolades with another podium finish at the Night Race in Oberstdorf, Germany. Competing in front of a lively crowd, Nowak secured third place in the women's large hill debut, finishing behind Norway's Ida Marie Hagen and her German teammate Nathalie Armbruster, who took second.

The challenging course in Chaux-Neuve, France, proved no obstacle for the Youth Olympic bronze medalist from Lausanne. Nowak clinched yet another victory, leading her into the final competition wearing the coveted yellow bib as the overall leader. To secure her Grand Prix title, a third-place finish behind Armbruster and Ema Volavsek was all she needed, marking her first-ever Grand Prix championship.

On the men's side, Laurent Mühlethaler began the summer with a sixth-place finish at the Individual Gundersen in Tschagguns, where Norway's Einar Luraas Oftebro took the win. The Frenchman continued his campaign in the Night Race at Oberstdorf, finishing in seventh place, as German Johannes Rydzek triumphed in front of his home supporters.

At the Summer Grand Prix premiere in Chaux-Neuve, Mühlethaler showcased his talent and was buoyed by the cheers of friends and family in the stadium. The 26-year-old achieved his first podium of the summer with a third-place finish, while Rydzek celebrated another win, followed by fellow German Manuel Faisst in second.

However, the men's final competition was canceled the following day due to heavy rainfall. Mühlethaler was in fourth place after the jumping round, giving him a potential shot at another podium finish.

As only athletes who compete in all individual events of the Grand Prix are eligible for the overall title, Mühlethaler's consistent performance throughout the series ultimately led him to victory, achieving his first Grand Prix championship ahead of teammate Matteo Baud and Switzerland's Pascal Müller, both of whom recorded their best Grand Prix results.

The Best Jumper Trophy was awarded to Swiss athlete Pascal Müller, while the Overall Winner Trophy went to Jenny Nowak. In the Best Skier Trophy, Frenchman Matteo Baud and German Nathalie Armbruster took home the honors.