Nowak Claims First SGP Victory in Tschagguns

In the opening Individual Gundersen competition of the FIS Nordic Combined Summer Grand Prix 2024 held in Tschagguns, Jenny Nowak emerged triumphant despite inclement weather.

Competing under rainy conditions, the German athlete, who previously won the PCR, achieved a jump of 91 meters and amassed a total of 120.4 points at the Montafoner Schanzenzentrum HS103 in the morning session, positioning her in the lead. As a result, she was the first to take on the 5 km roller ski race through Tschagguns later that day.

Nowak’s teammate, Maria Gerboth, secured second place after the jump with an impressive distance of 96.5 meters (119.7 points), starting just three seconds behind her.

Norway's Ida Marie Hagen rounded out the top three with her jump of 93.5 meters (119.6 points), also three seconds off Nowak's time.

The competition was fierce, with twelve athletes starting within the first minute, creating a thrilling contest for the podium positions. Unfortunately for Austria’s Lisa Hirner, who would have topped the jumping round, a disqualification due to an irregular ski suit dashed her hopes.

Nowak and Hagen began the 2.5 km race in tandem, while Ema Volavsek, who was in ninth place following the jump, made significant progress to place herself sixth at the first intermediate check.

On the final lap, Nowak pulled away from Hagen, ultimately securing her first victory in the Summer Grand Prix by finishing 6.8 seconds ahead of her rival. Volavsek crossed the finish line alongside Nathalie Armbruster and Veronica Gianmoena, narrowly claiming third place with a time of 10.5 seconds behind the winner.

With this victory, Jenny Nowak now leads the standings in the Summer Grand Prix.