Youth Cup Highlights: Triumphs for Germany, Norway, and Slovenia in Tschagguns

The FIS Youth Cup 2024/25 season continued with electrifying competitions in Tschagguns, Austria yesterday, drawing 128 athletes from 13 nations.

The spectators were treated to four thrilling Individual Gundersen events at the Montafoner Schanzenzentrum HS 66 and on a challenging 2.8 km roller ski course in the village.

Boys I Category

In the Boys I category, after excelling in the Ski Jumping portion, Simon Grossegger from Austria once again led the pack with a jump of 63 meters and a score of 109.9 points. Following closely was Marek Potancok from Slovakia, who placed second with a jump of 60 meters and 103.3 points. Norwegian Victor Hugo Sivle, with a jump of 58 meters (103.2 pts), secured third place, setting off just 20 seconds after Grossegger for the roller ski race.

However, Grossegger couldn't maintain his lead during the race. Max Mammey from Germany surged from 7th place to clinch victory, finishing just 2.9 seconds ahead of Grossegger, who came in second. Till Messerschmidt, also from Germany, rounded out the podium in third, finishing 25.9 seconds after Mammey.

Girls I Category

In the Girls I competition, Friday's winner, Michele-Sophie Eller, maintained her strong lead with a jump of 62 meters, earning 113.9 points and starting first in the roller ski race. Anna Brandner from Austria, who delivered the longest jump of the day at 63 meters (12.8 pts), followed closely behind, just 3 seconds off the pace.

Eller dominated the roller ski leg as well, consistently expanding her lead and ultimately crossing the finish line first, finishing 51.1 seconds ahead of Brandner. Mareike Zuefle from Germany claimed third place, finishing 1:05.2 minutes behind Eller after moving up from 6th place after jumping.

Boys II Division

In the Boys II category, Alvin Le, the overall leader from Friday, once again showcased his skills, winning the Ski Jumping event with a jump of 63 meters and a score of 124.9 points. He entered the subsequent 5.6 km roller ski race with a 24-second lead.

Hektor Kapustik from Slovakia came in second with a jump of 64 meters (118.9 pts), while Illia Chebolda from Ukraine secured third place with 61.5 meters (118.7 pts), trailing Le by 25 seconds. In a riveting race, Le held off his competitors, but Anze Brecl from Slovenia, who began in 15th place, made an incredible charge to finish second, just 30.5 seconds behind Le. Kapustik narrowly missed second, finishing third, just +30.4 seconds behind Brecl.

Girls II Category

In the Girls II division, Kira Maria Kapustikova jumped to the lead with a distance of 59.5 meters, earning 107.2 points. This gave her a 12-second advantage at the start of the roller ski race.

Marion Droz Vincent from France jumped 60.5 meters (103.3 pts), placing second ahead of Masa Likozar Brankovic from Slovenia, who followed closely behind in third at 17 seconds back.

Brankovic executed a remarkable roller ski race, overtaking Kapustikova, who fell to 8th place. The Slovenian ultimately secured victory, finishing 10.2 seconds ahead of Vincent, who retained her second position. Manca Kobentar from Slovenia, who was 4th after the jump, finished in third place, 32.2 seconds behind the winner.

This thrilling event in Tschagguns showcased the remarkable talent among the young athletes, setting an exciting tone for the continuing Youth Cup season.