COC: Geraghty-Moats and Gerstgraser strike again
Feb 17, 2019·Nordic Combined
The ladies’ jumping round was dominated by Germany’s Maria Gerboth, who was able to win the ski jumping part of an international competition for the first time in her career. A jump to 101 metres brought her a head start of 29 seconds on overall leader Tara Geraghty-Moats (95 m) and 39 seconds on local hero Gyda Westvold-Hansen (96.5 m). Veronica Gianmoena (94 m), Marte Leinan Lund (92.5 m) and Eva Hubinger (93m) ended up on the following places.
In the cross-country race it didn’t take Geraghty-Moats very long until she was able to catch the young German. However, Gerboth tried to follow the American as long as possible. In the end, experienced Geraghty-Moats was too strong for the German though and able to celebrate another clear victory. Gerboth defended her second place, the third place went to Westvold-Hansen. Fourth was Jenny Nowak, fifth Marte Leinan Lund, and Gianmoena sixth. Just like the day before, the fastest cross-country time went to Russia’s Anastasia Goncharova.
The men's jumping round on day 2 in Rena was held on a very high level. A total number of 18 out of 49 competitors was able to land their jump on at least 100 metres. The longest jump however, once again belonged to Norway’s Sindre Ure Soetvik, who jumped to 111 metres. This jump on hillsize once again brought him to the leas, seven seconds ahead of his teammate Simen Kvarstad (107.5 m) and yesterday’s fourth placed David Welde from Germany (110 m). Christian Deuschl (110 m), Luis Lehnert (107 m) and Harald Johnas Riiber (109.5 m) completed the top six. The World Cup experienced athletes Antoine Gerard (106 m), Philipp Orter (105.5 m) and the overall leader Paul Gerstgraser (107 m) followed on ranks nine, twelve and 13.
With a total number of 13 competitors being within one minute from the start, the cross-country race was a very close affair. It was Gerard, who took over the lead on the second lap, being followed by a pack of Norwegians, while Gerstgraser and Orter were slowly getting closer. When they reached the group, it didn’t take long until Gerstgraser took over the lead. Gerard tried to keep up with him, but on the second last uphill the strong cross-country skier was able to get away from the Frenchman and celebrate his sixth victory in a row (including the team competition in Eisenerz).
The fight for rank two and three stayed exciting until the very end. At the finish line it was Riiber, who was slightly ahead of his opponents and able to reach another very good second place. A photo finish between Gerard and Orter decided about rank three and four, with the better result for the Frenchman. Lars Ivar Skaarset and Sindre Ure Soetvik followed on fifth and sixth place.
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