JWSC: Korhonen claims gold, Brabec wins historic silver
Feb 12, 2024·Nordic Combined
Minja Korhonen is the women’s Junior World Champion 2024, after beating Alexa Brabec who took historic silver for the United States.
In the Ski Jumping competition, Norwegian Ingrid Laate reached 90.5 meters (114.2 pts), taking the lead on Planicas HS 102 in the morning and was the first on the 5 km cross-country course in the afternoon.
Rank 2 after jumping went to Tia Malovrh from Slovenia, who landed at 90 meters (113.8 pts) and went into the course only 2 seconds after Laate.
German Ronja Loh reached the furthest distance of the day with 92 meters (111.8 pts) and placed third, 10 seconds behind the leader.
Korhonen placed 4th with 87.5 meters and a total of 104.5 points, going into the race 39 seconds after the Norwegian.
With an incredible cross-country performance Alexa Brabec had the fastest skiing time and raced all the way up from 10th place, 1:08 min behind, to the front.
She left competitor after competitor behind, reaching for the gold medal, when on the last uphill into the stadium Minja Korhonen started an attack, so the two went into the home stretch together.
The Finn, who also claimed Youth Olympic Gold in Gangwon in January, took her first Junior World Championship title, narrowly beating Brabec (+1.5 sec) in an exciting finish sprint. The American made history with become the first female athlete to claim a Junior World Ski Championship medal in Nordic Combined.
Third place and the bronze medal went to Ronja Loh (+11 sec) from Germany, who defended her rank.
SJ Results: JWSC - IG HS102/5km, Women - 9.2.24, Planica
Official Results: JWSC - IG HS102/5km, Women - 9.2.24, Planica
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