Coming up: World Cup finals in Trondheim (NOR)
Mar 13, 2024·Nordic CombinedThe Viessmann FIS Nordic Combined season 2023/24 is coming to an end.
The finals of the world's best Nordic Combined athletes will take place in Trondheim (NOR) from March 15th to 17th.
After renovation work for the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2025, Trondheim is now opening the gates for the grand finale of Nordic Combined, which also serves as a test event for the 2025 season highlight.
For the first time since Schonach 2022, the final of the male and female Nordic Combined athletes will take place at the same location, so that all spectators and fans in Granåsen can look forward to the creme de la creme of Nordic skiing.
In addition to a Mixed Team event on Saturday, there is a 10 km Gundersen for men and a 7.5 km Gundersen for women on the program on Sunday.
After the renovation, the upcoming World Cup will be the premiere for many athletes who have never jumped on the new hills.
Therefore, the top favorites from Norway are likely to have the most experience, taking a home advantage into the last competitions of the season.
In addition to the already established Overall World Cup champion Jarl Magnus Riiber, his teammate Joergen Graabak, who is currently fighting against Johannes Lamparter for the Overall podium, was also able to already collect experiences on the new facility.
But Lamparter was able to fight his way back to the podium in Oslo, after some health issues, with two second places and is considered a favorite for another top position.
Additionally, the current Overall World Cup second, Stefan Rettenegger, like the entire Austrian team, proved his strength in the air all season, so that their performances on the new hill in Granasen is eagerly awaited.
Also in the women's category, the Overall World Cup winner has already been determined with Ida Marie Hagen.
With Gyda Westvold Hansen and Mari Leinan Lund, the Norwegians are sending three strong athletes into the race for a final home victory.
From Germany, hopes rest on Nathalie Armbruster and Jenny Nowak, while Haruka Kasai will try to achieve another podium finish for Japan.
The first and only Mixed Team competition of the season is also eagerly awaited.
Since no other team apart from Norway was able to dominate so much across genders, it is completely unclear who will prevail in the end alongside the hosts.
But what is clear, is that for the first time, a Mixed Team from France will compete in the World Cup on Saturday, as Romaine Baud, Matteo Baud's sister, will celebrate her World Cup debut and support the team as the second female athlete.
Even though the Overall Globes and Best Jumper and Best Skier Trophies have already been decided for both genders, every point counts for the male athletes.
Austria and Norway are only 162 points apart in the Nations Cup ranking and, like all other nations, will try to collect more important points in the home straight of the season before the Crystal Globes are awarded on Sunday.