Youth Cup: Overall titles for Austria, Ukraine and Italy
Jan 21, 2025·Nordic Combined)
The FIS Youth Cup 2024-25 concluded on Sunday in Harrachov, Czechia, with 84 boys and 24 girls competing in the Youth 1 and Youth 2 categories. The final day of competition on the K70 hill and cross-country tracks delivered thrilling performances and decisive moments that crowned the season's overall champions.
Youth Cup 1 Boys: Grossegger takes the victory and Overall title
Austria’s Simon Grossegger led the Ski Jumping round with 119.2 points, followed closely by teammate Aaron Hochenegg (118.8 points) and Norway’s Leon Kristoffer Kjøllestad (107.4 points).
The 2.5 km cross-country race saw the top three maintain their positions. Grossegger, just 14 years old, defended his lead in a nail-biting finish sprint against Hochenegg. The photo finish confirmed Grossegger as the winner, securing his second Youth Cup victory of the weekend. Hochenegg took second place, while Kjøllestad finished third, 56 seconds behind.
With this victory, Grossegger was crowned the Overall FIS Youth Cup winner for the 2024-25 season.
Youth Cup 1 Girls: Brandner Dominates Again
Austria’s Anna Brandner delivered another commanding performance, winning the Ski Jumping round with 104.2 points. Norway’s Hannah Christina Brobeck (87.5 points) and Ingrid Viken-Slaatten (81.5 points) followed in second and third, respectively.
Brandner’s substantial lead after jumping allowed her to run an unchallenged 2.5 km race. The 14-year-old crossed the finish line 1:29 minutes ahead of Norway’s Kristiane Tyrom, who climbed from 4th after jumping to secure second place. Brobeck finished third, 1:53 minutes behind.
Brandner’s victory also earned her the Overall FIS Youth Cup title for 2024-25.
Youth Cup 2 Boys: Vorderegger triumphs, Kirashchuk steals the show
Ukraine’s Illia Chebolda led the Ski Jumping round with 111.2 points, followed by Slovakia’s Hektor Kapustik (108.1 points) and Austria’s Maximilian Vorderegger (108 points).
In the 5 km cross-country race, Vorderegger showcased his strength, overtaking both Chebolda and Kapustik to secure the victory. Levi Hofmann of Austria, Saturday’s winner, climbed from 5th after jumping to take second place, 16 seconds behind. Ukraine’s Rostyslav Kirashchuk impressed with the fastest skiing time of the day, rising from 17th to finish third, 33 seconds back, securing his first Youth Cup podium.
With his podium finish, Kirashchuk claimed the Overall FIS Youth Cup title for 2024-25.
Youth Cup 2 Girls: Del Bianco secures back-to-back wins and Overall title
Norway’s Ingrid Graesli led the Ski Jumping round with 98.4 points, followed by Italy’s Ludovica Del Bianco (95.3 points) and Czechia’s Julie Osmerova (85.5 points).
Del Bianco displayed her cross-country prowess, taking the lead in the 2.5 km race and securing her second win of the weekend. Graesli finished second, 14 seconds behind, while Osmerova maintained her position to place third, 1:04 minutes back.
Del Bianco’s consistent performance throughout the weekend earned her the Overall FIS Youth Cup title for 2024-25.
A Memorable End to the Season
The final day of the FIS Youth Cup 2024-25 in Harrachov delivered thrilling competition and celebrated the rising stars of Nordic Combined. With overall titles secured and personal milestones achieved, the young athletes concluded the season with unforgettable performances, promising a bright future for the sport.
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