COC: Nordic Combined thrills in Lillehammer

The FIS Continental Cup (COC) brought elite Nordic Combined action to Lillehammer on 14–15 February, with two Individual Gundersen competitions for women and men.

The event also served as a preview of the venue that will host the FIS Junior World Ski Championships in March. A total of 35 women and 58 men lined up across the two competition days, battling icy temperatures and fierce head-to-head racing on the HS98 hill and cross-country tracks.

Women’s Gundersen: Hagen Dominates, Lund Doubles Up

Saturday’s opener unfolded in biting -11°C conditions. Ida Marie Hagen (NOR), the Overall World Cup leader, underlined her dominance from the outset. With women’s Nordic Combined not included in the Olympic program, several top athletes opted to compete in Lillehammer. Hagen soared to 95.5 meters on the HS98 hill, scoring 117.8 points to lead after jumping. Alexa Brabec (USA) followed closely with 97.5 meters and 116.1 points, just seven seconds behind for the 5km cross-country race. Annika Malacinski (USA) sat third after a 93.5-meter effort, 35 seconds back.

Once on the trails, Hagen showed the strength that has defined her World Cup season, quickly extending her advantage to take a commanding victory. Brabec defended second place, finishing 49.3 seconds behind the winner. Marte Leinan Lund(NOR), who had been ninth after jumping, delivered the fastest skiing time of the day in 13:17.4 minutes to move up to third place, 55.8 seconds behind Hagen.

Sunday brought another Individual Gundersen, but without Hagen and Brabec on the start list, the field was wide open. Claudia Purker (AUT) led after jumping with 93 meters and 124.9 points. Katharina Gruber (AUT) followed in second with 89.5 meters and 115.7 points, 37 seconds behind, while Ronja Loh (GER) placed third after jumping with the furthest distance of the day at 97 meters and 115.6 points, also 37 seconds back.

Purker started first into the 5km race but could not defend her lead until the finish. Lund once again proved strongest on the cross-country course, posting the fastest skiing time of the day and securing her second victory of the weekend from eighth place after jumping. Ema Volavsek (SLO) crossed the line in second place, just 4.2 seconds behind the winner, while Purker finished third, 19.7 seconds back. With seven nations represented in the top eight, the result highlighted the international depth in women’s Nordic Combined.

Men’s Competition: Sprint Drama and a Home Victory

In Saturday’s men’s Individual Gundersen, Eemeli Kurttila (FIN) led after jumping with the furthest distance of the day at 98.5 meters and 124.9 points. Florian Kolb (AUT) followed just one second behind with 97.5 meters and 124.6 points, while Iacopo Bortolas (ITA) ranked third with 96 meters and 123 points, eight seconds off the lead. With nine athletes starting the 10km race within the first 30 seconds, a tight and tactical contest developed in the icy conditions.

David Mach (GER), who had been eighth after jumping, worked his way to the front group and claimed first place after a dramatic sprint finish. Kasper Moen Flatla (NOR) crossed the line just 0.5 seconds behind in second place. Paul Walcher (AUT) secured third place, two seconds behind the winner, while Espen Andersen (NOR) followed in fourth, only 2.7 seconds back. Four athletes fighting for victory right to the line made it one of the most thrilling finishes of the season.

Sunday’s final competition saw Flatla take the lead after jumping with 95.5 meters and 124.2 points. Bortolas followed in second with 97 meters and 123.5 points, three seconds behind, while Kolb (AUT) produced the furthest jump of the day at 98 meters for 123 points, five seconds back in third. This time, Flatla maintained control throughout the 10km race, securing a start-to-finish victory on home soil. Bortolas held on to second place, 5.6 seconds behind, and Kolb completed the podium in third, 11.2 seconds behind the winner. Fabio Obermeyr (AUT) delivered the fastest skiing time of the day in 22:31.1 minutes, moving up from 40th after jumping to finish 15th overall.

The Continental Cup season now heads to Falun from 27 February to 1 March for the final event of the winter, which will serve as a test competition for the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2027.