Coming up: German Trophy kicks off in Oberstdorf (GER)
Jan 11, 2024·Nordic Combined
The Viessmann FIS Nordic Combined World Cup returns to Oberstdorf (GER) from 12th – 14th January 2024.
The first event of the year also marks the start of the WIRMACHENDRUCK German Trophy 2024, in which the women will take part for the first time.
After a long break, fans of Nordic Combined can look forward to a full program in Germany's southernmost village, which is currently offering a true winter wonderland and bright sunshine thanks to heavy snowfall last week.
After his home win last year, all eyes will be on local hero Julian Schmid, who is currently in 6th place in the Overall World Cup behind his teammate Johannes Rydzek, who is from Oberstdorf as well.
Rydzek will also try to reach the podium in front of his home crowd and achieve a good result for the German team.
As usual, overall World Cup leader Jarl Magnus Riiber from Norway is one to look out for, having not competed in Oberstdorf last year due to health reasons.
His team mate Jens Luraas Oftebro returns after his serious crash in Ramsau and will try to build on his good results from the start of the season.
Thanks to his strong skiing performance, Johannes Lamparter, Overall World Cup second and last years German Trophy champion, will also have a good chance of dominating the Normal Hill event and continuing his winning streak from Ramsau.
For the first time, the women are also taking part in Oberstdorf and, like the men, are competing in an Individual Gundersen and a Compact race.
Gyda Westvold Hansen from Norway, who was beaten for the first time in Ramsau by teammate Ida Marie Hagen, goes into the race as the clear favorite after winning gold on this same hill in Oberstdorf at the 2021 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships.
From a German perspective, Jenny Nowak and Nathalie Armbruster in particular currently have the chance to triumph in front of their home crowd and collect important points in the first German Trophy ranking for women.
While Haruka Kasai, currently Overall World Cup third, will do her best to achieve another podium result for Japan.
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