Geiger pips Riiber in sprint finish to claim his first Seefeld ‘Triple’

Vinzenz Geiger (GER) won a thrilling five-way fight for victory in a gruelling 12.5km Gundersen cross-country to claim the first Seefeld ‘Triple’ of his career in the Viessmann FIS Nordic Combined World Cup.

The 2022 Olympic champion edged out Norwegian duo Jarl Magnus Riiber and Jens Luraas Oftebro by just 0.2 and 0.4 seconds respectively in a titanic sprint finish.

Geiger’s fourth victory of the season, and the 14^th individual World Cup win of his career, earned him the prestigious ‘Triple’ trophy and denied Riiber a fairytale farewell to Seefeld, where he has won 11 competitions in the past six years including three ‘Triples’.

Having announced earlier this week that he will retire at the end of the season on health grounds, Riiber gave himself a chance of equalling the great Eric Frenzel (GER)’s record of four Triples when he signed off on the Toni-Seelos Schanze with a superb 106.0-meter jump to win on the hill.

That gave him a 16-second advantage over nearest challenger Thomas Rettenegger (AUT), 30 seconds on local favourite Johannes Lamparter (AUT) and more over his other biggest rivals in the tracks.

But despite leading for two-thirds of the race, around 8km in Riiber was caught by Ilkka Herola (FIN), Lamparter, Geiger and the relentless Oftebro, who had started 58 seconds behind.

That created a thrilling five-way fight for victory over the final 4km with the lead exchanging hand at regular intervals.

Lamparter was the first to attack as they entered the final lap, but it quickly became apparent the Austrian had gone too early and was unable to sustain his move as the other four passed him.

Herola also struggled to stay in touch as they headed into the final straight with Geiger showing stunning power and stamina to prevail just ahead of Riiber and Oftebro.

“I learned from yesterday,” said Geiger, who swapped places with Saturday's winner Oftebro (below, second from right) on the podium after the German finished third in the Compact, with Riiber (left) runner-up for a second day in a row after winning Friday’s Mass Start.

Riiber declared himself “super happy” despite seeing Geiger cut his lead in the overall standings to 81 points.

The five-time champion appeared to indicate he plans to compete in three more competitions next weekend in Otepää (EST), the last before the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim starting later this month.

“When I look back two weeks to Schonach, I was just a shadow of myself,” he said. “This weekend I showed I have taken a big step in the cross-country, although it was a bit similar to earlier this year in that I was getting a bit weaker in every competition.

“This is something I have to improve in Otepää, hopefully, but I am very happy with my performance. To be number one or two doesn’t matter – I am just here enjoying it so much.”

Oftebro could also reflect on a successful weekend, having been on the podium on all three days, even if there was a tinge of disappointment at not adding to his victory in Saturday’s Compact.

“It was a great cross-country race for me,” he said. “I didn’t actually feel tired and it was a bit annoying I couldn’t finish off with a win in the sprint because I felt good, but I am really happy.”

Herola missed out on the podium by 1.6 seconds, with Lamparter having to settle for fifth place, 10.6 seconds behind.

‘This is my last jump here’ - Riiber pips Rettenegger

Earlier on the HS109 hill, David Mach’s aggressive 101.0-meter jump saw the German set a target of 124.2 points for the leading contenders.

Thomas Rettenegger, second only to Riiber in the Best Jumper category this winter, maintained his strong form by soaring out to 104.5 meters, giving him 140.0 points.

For a long time that looked as if it might be enough to take victory on the hill as most of the top 10 came and went with Herola (101.0m, for 134.4 points), then Lamparter (103.5m, taking him to 136.7) and Geiger (101.5m, for 133.9) all short of overhauling the Austrian.

But Riiber, on his final jump on the Toni-Seelos Schanze where he has enjoyed so much success over the years, beat Rettenegger with a superb 106.0m effort – not quite as long as his stunning 108.0m jump on Saturday, but enough to take him to 144.1 points and a 16-second lead over the rest of the field.

But with strong skiers Lamparter (+0:30), Herola (+0:39), Geiger (+0:41) and Oftebro (+0:58) all within a minute, the stage was set for a huge fight in the tracks, and so it proved in a thrilling finale.

There are three more World Cup events – a Mass Start, Gundersen and Compact – scheduled for next weekend in Otepää, Estonia.

After a break for the Nordic World Championships in Trondheim, two more rounds next month in Oslo (NOR) and Lahti (FIN) – with two competitions in each – will complete the World Cup season.

Click here for full results from Sunday's Gundersen.