World Cup back in action in Trondheim

The Viessmann FIS Nordic Combined World Cup is finally back after warm temperatures and a lack of snow in Otepää (EST) and a free weekend forced the tour into an involuntary break of two weekends after the Nordic Combined TRIPLE in Seefeld.

Many teams used the time for multiple or extended training camps to stay in the rhythm and work on improvements on the ski jumping and cross-country sides of the sport in an effort to get closer to the unparalleled level of performance of yellow bib bearer Jarl Magnus Riiber.

The German team, for example, trained ski jumping in Oberstdorf (GER) and Seefeld (AUT) while their Austrian counterparts used the time to jump in Villach (AUT) and Planica (SLO) and collected snow kilometres and further jumps in Lillehammer (NOR). All Austrian athletes will take the train to travel on to Trondheim today. “We have been to Lillehammer since Sunday and had excellent conditions. We trained on both hills and I believe the entire team took another step forward on the hill. I hope we can get into competition mode again and show what we are capable of in the last period of the winter”, said Austrian head coach Christoph Eugen.

Vinzenz Geiger, who is locked into an intense battle for the second place in the overall ranking with local hero Jørgen Graabak, is also cautiously optimistic: “We were able to do several good jumping sessions in Seefeld and will now travel to Trondheim directly from here. Last year, I was really good in Trondheim and think back on it with satisfaction. The year before, I had some more problems. But I have mainly positive feelings right now and am happy to just get going again.”

If Riiber’s dominant performances continue, however, it could be already at this weekend in Trondheim that the Norwegian clinches his second overall World Cup trophy as he is currently leading with 409 points on teammate Jørgen Graabak. Six more individual events are on schedule this winter, inclduding this weekend. In addition, Riiber was able to win both of the events on the large hill in Trondheim last year and can look ahead to the weekend with confidence.

“We are starting with the strongest possible team in Trondheim after an involuntary break of two weekends. Jarl Magnus Riiber is ready to defend the yellow bib, and so is local hero Jørgen Graabak with the second place in the World Cup standings. The squad consists of young promising and established athletes, all with the potential to take the World Cup points”, the Norwegian team's Sports Director Ivar Stuan commented.

The progamme

Friday, 21.02.
12:00 Official training HS 138
14:00 Provisional Competition Round/Qualification HS 138
15:30 Official Cross-Country training

Saturday, 22.02.
08:30 Trial Round HS 138
09:30 INDIVIDUAL GUNDERSEN Competition Round HS 138
16:15 INDIVIDUAL GUNDERSEN 10 km cross-country race

Sunday, 23.02.
09:00 Trial Round HS 138
10:00 INDIVIDUAL GUNDERSEN Competition Round HS 138
16:00 INDIVIDUAL GUNDERSEN 10 km cross-country race

(Local times = CET)
Timetable subject to change!

Quick Facts

HILL
Granaasen
HS 138

TRACK
Granaasen
2 km free-technique loop
Total climb: 390 metres
Maximum climb: 40 metres
Height Difference: 40 metres

LAST YEAR’S PODIUM
IG I: 1. Jarl Magnus Riiber (NOR), 2. Magnus Krog (NOR), 3. Willi Denifl (AUT)
IG II: 1. Jarl Magnus Riiber (NOR), 2. Vinzenz Geiger (GER), Jørgen Graabak (NOR)