Val Gardena combined athletes show off – Germany wins first gold

The German Nordic combined team won the gold medal at the World Championships, securing the first German World Championship title in Trondheim. Italy's team also had reason to celebrate.

March 07, 2025

From: fop/dpa

The German quartet, consisting of Johannes Rydzek, Wendelin Thannheimer, Julian Schmid and Vinzenz Geiger, won ahead of Austria and Norway. Germany also managed to defy a fall by the first runner, Rydzek, who fell during a downhill run in his final lap.

The German team benefited greatly from the disqualification of Norwegian Jörgen Graabak. The Olympic champion's jump was removed from the rankings due to an illegal binding, which meant that Norway went onto the track more than one and a half minutes behind. With four valid attempts, the host, who has been untouchable in previous races, would have started in first place.

Riiber secures Norway bronze

The four Oberstdorfers Rydzek, Thannheimer, Schmid and Geiger showed a strong performance on the jump and the cross-country ski track. After Rydzek's fall, Thannheimer kept the gap to the Austrians stable before the strong runners Schmid and Geiger caught up over the last two five-kilometer sections and then secured gold in the final lap.

For Norway, a splendid series came to an end after World Cup gold in 2019, 2021 and 2023. The outstanding Jarl Magnus Riiber still managed to finish third in the three-way battle with Japan and Finland and secured bronze.

Azzurri with great comeback

The winners of the cross-country skiing competition also included the combined athletes from Italy. Alessandro Pittin, Raffaele Buzzi and the two Grödeners Aaron Kostner and Manuel Senoner sprinted from eighth to sixth place. They overtook the Americans and the French on the cross-country course. "The snow was really soft, the conditions were not easy. Nevertheless, we put on a great performance," said Kostner afterwards.

The young Manuel Senoner (l.) showed a good performance. © APA/afp / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND

The competition was postponed from Thursday to Friday due to stormy weather in Trondheim. On Saturday (9.30 a.m. ski jumping, 14.30 p.m. cross-country skiing) there will be another chance for the Nordic combined athletes in the large hill individual event.