Hagen wins her first Triple as Gianmoena bids farewell

Ida Marie Hagen (NOR) smiled her way to her first ever Triple title after finishing well ahead of the field in the 7.5km cross-country race in the FIS Nordic Combined Individual Gundersen on the final day in Seefeld on Sunday.

Hagen was spurred on by having been taken out of contention last year for a suit infringement, and finished here in 21 minutes 3.2 seconds, 55 seconds ahead of second-placed Alexa Brabec (USA).

Hagen admitted before the final race that winning the Triple was her “biggest goal”, adding afterwards, “it was a really nice day today and I’m so happy to celebrate my first Triple win here”.

Trailblazing American Tara Geraghty-Moats followed in third, which was the first podium of her comeback after winning the first ever women’s Nordic Combined World Cup event in Ramsau, Austria in 2020.

“I didn’t know if I’d ever be on a Nordic Combined podium again,” said Geraghty-Moats. “And surrounded by so many people who are supporting me, it’s such an amazing feeling today.”

Defending champion from the inaugural Triple Nathalie Armbruster (GER) only managed to move up one place from the start, from sixth to fifth.

But it was hugs all round for Veronica Gianmoena (ITA) in her last World Cup, as she was unable to contain her emotions going into the 7.5km race, having to dry her tears before reaching the start line and ending her World Cup with a 26th place finish.

In a touching show of unity, all of the women’s competitors held banners in support of her at the finish line before placing a crown on her head. “It is a bit sad not to have Veronica with us anymore as an athlete,” said Hagen. “She means a lot to me and I’m really close with her my entire career.”

Gianmoena, who plans to study sport psychology to help the next wave of champions, said: “So many memories, so many emotions. We are a big family, I’m happy to be in the family. I hope Nordic Combined will be for the next 100 years as it is today.”

After earlier putting herself at the top of the standings with a technically good 98.5m jump, and with some compensation points for wind, Hagen gained a 25 second head start for the 7.5km ahead of Americans Brabec and Geraghty-Moats.

Armbruster was visibly disappointed with her jump, only managing 94m to put her in sixth and 1:34 minutes behind. Marte Leinan Lund (NOR) also left herself with much to do in the cross-country, finishing in 12th with a 90m jump and 2:20 minutes behind where she was only able to make up to seventh-place at the finish.

For results of the Individual Gundersen click here.