Jarl Magnus Riiber once again outpaces the competition on the second day in Oberstdorf. The German combined athletes can still hope for a podium finish.
Riiber once again set the best distance in the snow with 112.5 meters on Sunday (January 14, 2024). In the newly introduced “Compact Race”, however, the Norwegian is only six seconds ahead of the Austrian Johannes Lamparter in the 7.5 km cross-country skiing from 2:15 p.m. (live in the Sportschau ticker). Third is Lamparter’s compatriot Thomas Rettenegger (+12 seconds). Riiber had already triumphed over Lamparter the day before.
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Manuel Faißt showed the best jump of the German combined athletes. With his 100 meters he starts the race in ninth position, 36 seconds behind Riiber. The podium is only 24 seconds away. David Mach (+40) and Terence Weber (+44) jumped the identical distance and also achieved a good starting position.
For Julian Schmid (+42) things didn’t go as desired with 96.5 meters. Nevertheless, he is doing well and should have a say in cross-country skiing for the top places. Johannes Rydzek follows in 19th place, just a minute behind.
Vinzenz Geiger, on the other hand, didn’t have a good jump and seemed a bit tense. Despite decent conditions, the Olympic champion only managed 95.5 meters. His gap in 27th place is still limited at 1:15 minutes. He proved that he has the potential to be at the front, not least the day before when he came sixth after a strong race to catch up.
Short time intervals thanks to the new format
Unlike the individual race, the athletes in the “Compact Race,” which was newly introduced this season, start at set intervals. The person in first place after jumping goes onto the trail six seconds ahead of the second and twelve seconds ahead of the third.
The rest of the field then follows at increasingly narrower intervals. After 90 seconds all athletes are on the track. This means the field is getting closer together and good jumpers can no longer get a big lead.
DSV sets up national group
As on the previous day, Germany is fielding a national group in the home World Cup, meaning a total of eleven DSV combined athletes are at the start. This also gives young talent like Richard Stenzel (18) and Nick Schönfeld (19) the opportunity to get a taste of the World Cup.
Both can be happy with their jumps of 88.5 and 90 meters. Stenzel is 1:20 minutes behind, Schönfeld 1:25. Tristan Sommerfeldt is in between (+1:20). Wendelin Thannheimer is currently 24th (+1:10). Jakob Mach ended up further back in the field at just 82.5 meters (+1:30).