In the shadow of the tearful drama: Costa returns

A full program for the Nordic combined athletes: This Friday, the women and men competed in a World Cup event in Ramsau (Austria).

19 December 2025

From: fop/apa

Austrian local hero Thomas Rettenegger celebrated his second World Cup victory. After finishing 16th in the cross-country skiing, the Salzburg native jumped 96 meters to take the top spot in the mass start event. His brother Stefan finished third, while overall leader Johannes Lamparter came in fourth. Only Norway's Luraas Jens Oftebro prevented an Austrian sweep of the podium.

Previously, his compatriot Ida Marie Hagen had triumphed in the women's competition.
The Norwegian, who was comfortably in the lead after the cross-country skiing, secured the victory with a jump of 90,0 meters, ahead of American Alexa Brabec and Minja Korhonen from Finland. It was her 19th World Cup victory for Hagen.

Ida Marie Hagen beamed in Ramsau, vying with the sun for brightness. © APA / BARBARA GINDL

For Germany's defending champion Nathalie Armbruster, a collapse in the cross-country skiing portion of the competition meant only twelfth place this time. "My body just shut down completely. I wanted to ski, but I couldn't anymore, I couldn't take another step. I kind of collapsed and thought to myself, that's it," said a completely distraught Armbruster, tearfully. ZDF-Interview.

Costa is stronger than he's been in a long time

And what about the South Tyroleans? Samuel Costa shone in the men's race, finishing eleventh. For the Val Gardena native, who made his comeback this summer after a year's break, this is his best World Cup result since March 2024. His teammate Aaron Kostner finished 36th. In the women's race, Daniela Dejori placed 22nd, securing a spot in the top 30 and making her the best Italian finisher.

Schonach World Cup cancelled

The Nordic Combined World Cup event scheduled for early January in Schonach, Germany, featuring individual and team sprint competitions for both men and women, was cancelled on Friday due to poor snow conditions and the forecast of warm temperatures. Following the current Ramsau World Cup, the Nordic Combined season will resume on the second weekend of January in Otepää, Estonia.