After his jump on 103 meters, Julian Schmid also started the race in third place, just 0.40 minutes behind the Austrian Lukas Greiderer (103.5 meters / +0.38m).
competition in wait
But behind them lurked a hot contender for the gold medal in the form of World Cup leader Johannes Lamparter from Austria. As the fifth-best jumper, he had to catch up by 1.04 minutes.
The Finn Illka Herola (+1.09) and the Norwegian Joergen Graabak (+1.16) were also on the list for the top places. Geiger still had every chance as eleventh (+1.26).
Group of four with Rydzek and Schmid the hunted
When deciding the 10 kilometers, the Oberstdorf-Express quickly picked up speed with Rydzek and Schmid and caught up with Yamamoto and Greiderer.
However, the pursuers with Lamparter and, surprisingly, Vinzenz Geiger were already on sight.
Trio hold lead at halftime
The quartet became a trio at halftime. The Japanese lost the connection, Rydzek, Schmid and Greiderer kept the pace high and the pursuers at a distance.