Slovenia Makes History at Mixed Team Nordic Combined

In a thrilling display of skill and teamwork, Slovenia clinched its first-ever victory in the Nordic Combined Mixed Team competition today during the FIS Nordic Combined Summer Grand Prix 2024 in Tschagguns, Austria.

The event attracted 11 teams from 7 different nations, gathering at the Montafon Schanzentrum HS103 amidst sunny skies and soaring temperatures. The competition kicked off with a trial round followed by the main event taking place in the afternoon.

Team France showcased an exceptional performance on the jump, leading the scoreboard. The talented lineup of Lena Brocard (90 m), Matteo Baud (95 m), Laurent Muhlethaler (96 m), and Romane Baud (89.5 m) amassed an impressive total of 499.3 points, positioning them first in the subsequent roller ski race, which consisted of distances of 5km – 2.5km – 2.5km – 5km.

Following closely behind in second place, Germany 1—comprised of Nathalie Armbruster (91 m), Jakob Lange (91 m), Simon Mach (98 m), and Jenny Nowak (96.5 m)—finished with 496.8 points, just 3 seconds off the lead.

Austria 1, featuring Annalena Slamik (91.5 m), Martin Fritz (96.5 m), Stefan Rettenegger (96.5 m), and Lisa Hirner (97.5 m), claimed third position after the jumping phase with a score of 496.6 points, starting the race just 3 seconds behind Germany.

As the race commenced, the excitement was palpable with seven teams setting off within the first minute. French skier Matteo Baud led the charge, tailed closely by Germany's Simon Mach and Austria's Martin Fritz. After the first 5km, the initial leg saw switches occur as Fritz handed off to Slamik while Baud sent his sister Romane down the track just 0.4 seconds later.

Mach fell back to fifth place, passing to Jenny Nowak, while Slovenia's Vid Vrhovnik capitalized on the competition, moving into third place with a handoff to Tia Malovrh (+22 sec). Meanwhile, Jens Oftebro made significant progress, passing to Ida Marie Hagen in fourth, now 35.8 seconds behind the leader.

As the race unfolded, Slamik lost her lead for Austria, but Nowak showcased resilience, moving back to the front during the 2.5 km lap and handing over to Armbruster, who initiated her leg just 0.2 seconds behind Malovrh, now battling fiercely for second.

Entering the third lap, six teams remained tightly packed within a mere seven seconds, escalating the anticipation for the final exchanges. Volavsek took the lead for Slovenia, passing off to Gasper Brecl with a slim margin of 0.4 seconds ahead of Armbruster. Veronica Gianmoena was 0.9 seconds back for Italy 1, while Hagen relayed to Einar Oftebro about 16.2 seconds back.

The last 5 kilometers transformed into an electrifying sprint. Brecl managed to fend off Oftebro, finishing 2.7 seconds ahead and solidifying Slovenia's landmark triumph in the Mixed Team format. Meanwhile, Lange and Mariotti from Italy engaged in a nail-biting contest for third, with Lange narrowly crossing the line 4.2 seconds ahead of Mariotti, who finished just 4.9 seconds off the podium.

For complete results, see: - Jumping Results - Overall Results

Slovenia's historic win is a testament to their progress in Nordic Combined, marking an exciting chapter in their sporting history.