Week 2: FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Planica
Feb 28, 2023·Nordic Combined
The competition activity in Planica has moved to the HS 138 large hill for the second week and for Nordic Combined, one more Individual Gundersen event and one Team competition are on schedule for the men.
In the Team event, the Norwegians are the title defenders, while Austrias Johannes Lamparter won the gold medal in Oberstdorf ahead of Jarl Magnus Riiber (NOR) and Akito Watabe (JPN).
With the victory in the Individual Normal Hill event last week, Riiber is also considered a medal favorite on the large hill.
Besides him, Germany's Julian Schmid and Vinzenz Geiger also have a good chance of a top placement.
Ryota Yamamoto (JPN), known for his jumping ability, has the opportunity to take some lead in the cross-country race with a green jump, so that he too is considered a potential medal contender.
With the gold medal in the men's Team Large Hill/4x5km event at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, Norway is also a favorite to win the World Championships.
With Germany, Austria and Japan all showing strong team performances in previous competitions, the fight for silver and bronze will be very exciting.
Riiber rules training, Skoglund and Baud impress
In the Official Training, Jarl Magnus Riiber (NOR) in particular showed strong performances in all three rounds with a second place in the first as well as two victories in the second and third round. With 137.5 meters he also achieved the best distance of the day, proving why he will be the favorite for tomorrow's race.
Defending champion Johannes Lamparter (AUT) has also settled in well on the large hill with two fourth places and one third, while Ryota Yamamoto (JPN) is on course for a medal with two second places, too.
The performances of Matteo Baud (FRA) with places 5, 8 and 3 as well as Andreas Skoglund (NOR), who won the first round with 137 meters, were also impressive.
Normal hill bronze medalist Franz-Josef Rehrl was not on start for health reasons, as were Alessandro Pittin (ITA) and Akito Watabe (JPN), who both fell in the Mixed Team event.
Results: WSC, Official Training, Individual LH/10km, Men, Planica, 28.2.23
)
)
)
