Rydzek continues his winning ways in Lahti

Quadruple Lahti gold medallist Johannes Rydzek continued his winning spree at the Finnish venue and took the victory in the individual event. His young team- and clubmate Vinzenz Geiger claimed the third podium of his career with the second place, finishing 3.4 seconds after Rydzek. Jørgen Graabak beat out Eero Hirvonen for the third place, +4.5 seconds after Rydzek.

Akito Watabe came back from his rest day during the Team Sprint event with a fabulous jump of 130.5 metres. 142.3 metres gave him the jumping win, the pole position of the race and a 20-second head start on Jørgen Graabak, who returned to a splendid jumping shape. Graabak’s 128.5 metres (137.4 p.) had him start at exactly the same time as yesterday’s winner Willi Denifl (129 m; 137.3 p.).

Eero Hirvonen made his aspirations for another podium result clear with 128.5 metres, as did Francois Braud, who was still jumping on borrowed equipment after the French jumping skis did not make it to Lahti. Hirvonen, Braud and Espen Andersen and last year’s World Championship dominator Johannes Rydzek formed a tight group at the start with delays of +0:24, +0:24, +0:26 and +0:28 seconds respectively.

Other candidates for the podium of the day were German youngster Vinzenz Geiger on rank eight with a disadvantage of 37 seconds and Fabian Rießle, who had to make up 58 seconds after a slightly weaker jump of 123 metres.

Jan Schmid had to take a disappointment in his quest for the yellow bib. The Norwegian did not have a good jump and landed at 119.5 metres already. A time behind of one minute and 25 seconds put him out of contention for the top results today.

Big groups dominated the cross-country race as to be expected with a tight result list after the ski jumping part. Leader Akito Watabe was able to hold on to his first position until the end of the second lap before a big pursuing group consisting of Willi Denifl, Johannes Rydzek, Eero Hirvonen, Francois Braud, Lukas Greiderer, Jørgen Graabak, Espen Andersen and Vinzenz Geiger caught up with him.

Behind this group, Fabian Rießle and a strong Franz-Josef Rehrl pushed hard to reach the big group as well. Ultimately, the two did not achieve their goal and ended up on positions eleven and thirteen.

The big group went out on the last lap together until Rydzek started his attack on the big uphill. At first, only Eero Hirvonen was able to follow the Germans and the Finnish crowd started roaring in anticipation of another Finnish podium finish. Akito Watabe lead the pursuers but ultimately, it was Rydzek’s clubmate from Oberstdorf, Vinzenz Geiger, who proved to be the strongest. Not only did he catch the two leaders again, he also outsprinted a tired Eero Hirvonen on the last metres.

Even though not at his best in the cross-country track, Norway’s Jørgen Graabak also redeemed himself for his sprint loss to Berhard Gruber yesterday and wrestled the third place out of Hirvonen’s grasp as well. The young Finn laid in the snow for a good while to come to terms with his disappointment about this fourth place.

Akito Watabe ended the race on rank five and collected valuable points distancing himself from Jan Schmid in the World Cup standings, who finished 17th today. The Top Ten were completed by Espen Andersen, Francois Braud, Lukas Greiderer, Willi Denfil and Bernhard Gruber.