Lillehammer (NOR): Podium sweep for Norway
Dec 02, 2023·Nordic Combined
Jarl Magnus Riiber is in the winner of the men’s first World Cup competition in Lillehammer (NOR), after already being in the lead after Ski Jumping.
In bright sunshine the Norwegian jumped the furthest distance of the day with 102 meters (153.8 pts) in the morning at the Lysgårdsbakken HS 98. Therefore, he was the first one to start into the 10 km this afternoon.
Rank 2 after jumping went to Ryota Yamamoto from Japan, who landed at 99.5 meters (139.9 pts) and went into the course 56 seconds after Riiber.
Estonian Kristjan Ilves (97.5 mts, 134.7 pts) placed third 1:10 seconds behind the leader.
Riiber proved his strength on cross-country skis once again. The exceptional athlete, who had already reached the top of the podium twice in Ruka (FIN), continuously increased his lead over his competitors.
After 2.5km the gap was already 1:10 minutes to Jens Luraas Oftebro, Kristjan Ilves and Thomas Rettenegger, who tried to get close to the Norwegian.
After 5km, the chasing group consisted of nine athletes who, despite teamwork, were unable to put pressure on Riiber at the front.
The four-time world champion finished the race confidently in front of his cheering home crowd, while a tough battle for the remaining podium places broke out behind him.
Johannes Lamparter led the field after 8.3 km, 1:02 minutes behind, closely followed by Joergen Graabak, Oftebro, as well as the Rettenegger brothers and the “German Train” around Julian Schmid, Johannes Rydzek and Vinzenz Geiger.
On the last climb, the Norwegians once again showed their sprinting strength and entered the home straight together, where Oftebro (+35.5 seconds) narrowly prevailed over Graabak (+36.8 seconds).
Like the women, the Norwegian men also managed a podium sweep, which once again demonstrated the strength of the Scandinavians on home soil.
SJ Results: IG Men HS98/10km – 02.12.23 Lillehammer
Overall Results: IG Men HS98/10km – 02.12.23 Lillehammer
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