Nathalie Armbruster storms to victory in Oberstdorf opener

The women’s FIS Nordic Combined Summer Grand Prix 2025 began dramatically in Oberstdorf, where Germany’s Nathalie Armbruster claimed her first Grand Prix victory after a thrilling chase in the rain.

On the HS137 hill in Oberstdorf’s Orlen Arena, Austria’s Lisa Hirner delivered the longest jump of the day. Flying 129.5 meters (133.3 pts), she secured the Ski Jumping lead and earned the right to open the 5 km roller ski Night Race. Germany’s Maria Gerboth followed in second with 121.5 meters (121.8 pts), starting just six seconds behind, while Finland’s Heta Hirvonen (118 m, 121.6 pts) lined up in third, 12 seconds back.

A thunderstorm rolled over Oberstdorf just before the start, and the women faced their roller ski race in pouring rain. Armbruster, who had started behind the leaders, quickly closed the gap and was only 0.4 seconds behind Hirner by the end of the first lap. Slovenia’s Ema Volavšek also made up significant ground, climbing from 10th after jumping to third midway through the race, just 6.3 seconds behind at the 2.7 km mark.

By 4.1 km, Armbruster made her decisive move, overtaking Hirner and heading into the final lap with a two-second advantage. The German defended her lead until the finish line, celebrating her first ever Grand Prix triumph in Oberstdorf.

Volavšek continued her charge and managed to pass Hirner before the last lap, securing second place just 5.6 seconds behind the winner. Hirner, who had dominated the jumping round, finished third, 34.2 seconds adrift.