Home weekend for the World Cup dominators

The second weekend of the 2019/20 season will take place in Lillehammer (NOR) where two events from the large hill will be held, one Individual Gundersen and one team event.

Given how many Norwegian athletes shone in Ruka last weekend, the men to watch  are clear: Team and World Cup leader Jarl Magnus Riiber will spearhead the Norwegian efforts and with three back-to-back victories in Lillehammer last year, Riiber certainly knows how to stand on the top spot of the podium on home soil. But also shooting star Jens Lurås Oftebro, who claimed the first three podium finishes of his career will be one athlete to watch, as will be strong ski jumper Espen Bjørnstad and fast skier Jørgen Graabak.

In addition, Espen Andersen has won in Lillehammer in the past and Einar Lurås Oftebro and Harald Johnas Riiber had strong showings on the last weekend or in the Norwegian national championships the weekend before. Head coach Peder Sandell and Sports Director Ivar Stuan might have a luxury problem on their hands when it comes to nominate a four-man squad for Saturday’s team event.

But also for the other teams, the Lillehammer weekend might contain positive developments. Nordic Combined legend Eric Frenzel has won in Lillehammer five times in the past. If the German can find more consistent jumps in Lillehammer, he can certainly return to old strength, alongside younger teammate Vinzenz Geiger, who showcased a podium-worthy shape already last weekend.

In the Austrian team, veteran Bernhard Gruber will rejoin his teammates after he is back from a gastrointestinal infection which sidelined him in Ruka. Franz-Josef Rehrl (who claimed his first-ever podium in Lillehammer last year), Martin Fritz and Lukas Greiderer all showed potential last weekend and maybe one of these athletes will be able to bridge the gap to the Norwegian athletes this weekend.

With the Olympic venues of 1994 more than ready and winter also in full swing in Norway, the stage is set for a smooth, exhilarating continuation of the Nordic Combined story 2019/20.

The programme

Friday, 06.12.
10:00 Official training cross-country
14:30 Official training HS 140, two rounds
16:00 Provisional Competition Round /Qualification HS 140

Saturday, 07.12.
09:00 Trial Round HS 140
10:00 TEAM EVENT Competition Round HS 140
14:30 TEAM EVENT 4x 5 km cross-country race

Sunday, 08.12.
08:15 Trial Round HS 140
09:15 INDIVIDUAL GUNDERSEN Competition Round HS 140
13:30 INDIVIDUAL GUNDERSEN 10 km cross-country race

All times are local times (local times = CET)
Timetable may be subject to change!

Quick Facts:
HILLS
Lysgårdsbakken
HS 140

TRACK
Birkebeineren Skistadion
2.5 km loop
Total climb: 105 metres
Maximum climb: 29 metres
Height Difference: 43 metres

LAST YEAR’S PODIUM
IG: 1. Jarl Magnus Riiber (NOR), 2. Eric Frenzel (GER), 3. Franz-Josef Rehrl (AUT)
MS: 1. Jarl Magnus Riiber (NOR), 2. Eric Frenzel (GER), 3. Fabian Rießle (GER)
IG 2: Jarl Magnus Riiber (NOR), Jørgen Graabak (NOR), Johannes Rydzek (GER)