The German combiners travel to the Nordic Ski World Cup in Trondheim as big favorites. Nathalie Armbruster in particular and Vinzenz Geiger recently shone in the World Cup.
From a German perspective, the dress rehearsal for the Nordic Ski World Cup could not have been much better. At the last pre-World Cup World Cup stop at the beginning of February in Otepää, Vinzenz Geiger stood three times on the podium in three races-twice at the top. Nathalie Armbruster was similarly strong: she was on the podium twice – once at the top. The expectations for the title fights in Trondheim that start this week could hardly be higher.
Finally at the top
19-year-old Nathalie Armbruster has been part of the world class in the Nordic combination since the 2022/2023 season, but it was only in early February the first World Cup victory in Seefeld. A historical victory, it is the first German to celebrate a global success in this sport. This was followed by victory number two and three, as well as the overall victory at the prestigious Seefeld Triple. In front of the actually dominant combinator, Ida Marie Hagen from Norway, Armbruster even leads the overall World Cup ranking.
Fritz Hoyer, Sportschau, 24.02.2025 6:31 p.m.
And in a season that is a very big balancing act between competitive sports and school for the 19-year-old. Because the combined one is in the middle of the abistress. “It’s kind of crazy. I went into the season and thought, my ABI has top priority and somehow I have already surpassed all my expectations“, said Armbruster in the ZDF interview.
“Pressure of the favorite role”
Despite little training on the ski jump in preparation, the 19-year-old took a big step in jumping this winter. Perhaps the crucial step in order to be able to permanently demand 19 times the World Cup winner and dominator Hagen. Armbruster has the next opportunity at the World Cup. “Of course, I am now feeling the pressure of a favorite role right now to Otepää, where I also hit the Ida in its presence. I don’t try to let it go so much“, she said in the ZDF interview.
When everything plays together in Trondheim, Armbruster is the great German hope for the combiners. In addition to the 19-year-old top combinator, a total of five German combiners will also be at the start Maria Gerboth (WSV Schmiedefeld), Trine Göpfert (WSV Reit im Winkl), Ronja Loh (VSC Klingenthal) and Jenny Nowak from SC Sohland). Maria Gerboth and Jenny Nowak in particular already showed top results this winter and can reach for a medal at the World Cup in the Mixed team together with Armbruster and the strong men’s team.
Three combiners absolute world leaders
Because the German men are again part of the absolute top of the world under head coach Eric Frenzel in the second year. Routine Johannes Rydzek was able to celebrate a World Cup victory for the first time in almost six years and can now look forward to his sixth World Cup participation. Julian Schmid was on the podium a total of six times this winter, in the overall World Cup he is currently in third place.
The strongest German combinator is currently Vinzenz Geiger. The 27-year-old was at the top of the winner podium six times this season. In the overall World Cup, he lurks in second place behind Jarl Magnus Riiber with 81 points behind Jarl Magnus. His consistency this winter is impressive, in 15 season races he was only three times in the top 5. In addition to the Norwegian and eternal dominator of the Nordic combination, Jarl Magnus Riiber, Geiger travels to Trondheim as an absolute top favorite.
“The victories this season give me confidence. I have to bring the performance on the hill and show good performance when running. Then I have chances to attack the world championship title“, said the Oberstdorfer in the MDR interview before the World Cup. The two-time Olympic champion finally wants to get his first World Cup gold medal.
Debütant and veteran complete the contingent
Wendelin Tannheimer (SC 1906 Oberstdorf) and Manuel Faißt (SV Baiersbronn) complete the German contingent for Trondheim. For Tannheimer it is the first World Cup. In Otepää, the 25-year-old most recently celebrated his best career result with fourth place. Faißt, on the other hand, is an absolute veteran at the age of 32 and is about to participate in the 6th World Cup. At the beginning of winter he was on the podium in Ruka.
Noko start on February 27th
There are a total of six medal decisions in the Nordic combination. Nathalie Armbruster has the first medal chance at the start of the combination competitions on February 27th.