Jarl Magnus Riiber celebrates his world championship title. © APA/afp / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND

Riiber's big farewell show delights Norway

Jarl Magnus Riiber has crowned his extraordinary career with another triumph at the Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim.

March 08, 2025

From: det

The 27-year-old Norwegian secured his third World Championship title in Norway with a confident start-to-finish victory on the large hill – and thus bid a fitting farewell to the big stage of sport.

After the ski jumping, Riiber had already removed all doubts about the outcome of the competition with a jump of 139 meters. He started the ten-kilometer cross-country race with a lead of 1:14 minutes over the second-placed competitor and left nothing to chance.

Riiber was unbeatable. © APA/afp / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND

While a tough battle for the remaining podium places developed behind him, Riiber enjoyed his last World Championship appearance to the fullest. Before entering the stadium, he accepted the Norwegian flag and celebrated his impressive farewell with the enthusiastic fans in the packed Granasen Skisenter.

The greatest Nordic combined athlete of all time

For the dominant athlete of recent years, it is the perfect end to an era. Due to a chronic intestinal disease, Riiber will end his career after this season - a bitter loss for Nordic combined. "There is no debate, he is the best of all time," said Olympic champion Vinzenz Geiger about his Norwegian competitor. With his extraordinary performances, Riiber has shaped the sport like no other - and leaves behind a gap that will be difficult to fill.

Riiber's compatriot Jörgen Graabak won silver on Saturday, while the German Vinzenz Geiger took bronze. The best Azzurro was a South Tyrolean: Aaron Kostner finished in a strong 15th place, just two seconds behind the former German Olympic champion Johannes Rydzek. In the end, Kostner was 2.38 minutes behind the winner Riiber.