Otepää (EST): Riiber wins final Mass Start, Ilves second
Feb 10, 2024·Nordic Combined
Jarl Magnus Riiber is the winner of today’s Mass Start in Otepää (EST), while Kristjan Ilves secured the second place in front of his cheering home crowd.
The Norwegian was already in the lead after the cross-country race of the men’s third and last Mass Start of this FIS Nordic Combined World Cup season, that started with the traditional starting gun shot.
All 57 athletes from 13 nations, led by the top 3 of the Overall World Cup, went together in the 10 km course in Otepää (EST).
Due to the short time gaps, there were continuous changes in lead at the front of the field.
Vinzenz Geiger from Germany was leading the field at the first lapping, closely followed by Jarl Magnus Riiber and Julian Schmid.
At the 5km mark, Riiber shortly took over the lead with Geiger (+0.5 sec) and Jens Luraas Oftebro (+0.9 sec) closely behind.
In the last lap Geiger tried to pull away from the large group on the final uphill, but could shake Riiber and the others off.
Therefore, a total of 9 athletes entered the stadium together.
Riiber took the ideal line on the last corner into the home stretch and managed to bring some meters between him and his pursuers.
He secured the victory of the cross-country race 1.7 seconds ahead of Vinzenz Geiger and Johannes Rydzek (+1.9 sec) who showed a strong finish sprint. Joergen Graabak, Manuel Faisst, Eero Hirvonen and Aleksander Skoglund all came in with a photo finish.
Therefore, Riiber was the last athlete going from the bar on the Tehvandi HS 97 this evening, trying to defend his lead.
With the furthest jump of the day on 99 meters the Overall World Cup leader collected 134.3 points and secured the victory.
Second place went to local hero Kristjan Ilves from Estonia with 96 meters and 127 points, who reached the podium on home soil for the first time. Johannes Lamparter from Austria placed third with a jump on 98 meters and a total of 125.3 points.
CC Result: MS Men 10km/HS97 – 9.2.24 Otepää
Results: MS Men 10km/HS97 – 9.2.24 Otepää
