Oftebro pips Lamparter in thrilling Oberhof Compact
Jan 17, 2026·Nordic Combined
Jens Luraas Oftebro (NOR) timed his finish to perfection to take his first victory of the Viessman FIS Nordic Combined World Cup season in a fiercely contested Compact in Oberhof.
Oftebro set the platform for his eighth individual World Cup win overall with a 97.0m jump to finish fourth on the HS100 hill, leaving him 17 seconds behind Franz-Josef Rehrl, who led an Austrian one-two-three ahead of the Rettenneger brothers Thomas and Stefan.
Having had to make up much larger deficits recently, Oftebro – who leads the Best Skier rankings but finished fourth in the last three events – was able to pace himself over the 7.5km cross-country course.
He took the lead with 3km left before allowing both Retteneggers to pass him briefly at the end of the second 2.5km loop.
But Oftebro, with overall leader Johannes Lamparter (AUT) and his brother Einar Luraas Oftebro (NOR) for company, forged a leading group of four heading into the final 500m, with Stefan Rettenegger at the front.
But the Austrian couldn’t resist the speed of Oftebro, who hit the accelerator to forge clear and win in 17:51.6, 1.7 seconds ahead of Lamparter in second and 1.9secs clear of Einar Luraas Oftebro, who shared a World Cup podium with his brother for the first time.
Rettenegger, still chasing a first individual World Cup win, finished fourth, 3.1 seconds back, ahead of Johannes Rydzek (GER) in fifth and brother Thomas Rettenegger (AUT) in sixth.
More to follow.
Earlier on the HS 100 Hans-Renner hill, Austria again showed their strength in depth with the top three performances and five of the top seven.
Jiri Konvalinka (CZE) continued his strong jumping form from Otepää to set the early marker with a 94.5m effort for 125.7 points.
Richard Stenzel (GER) topped that with 95.5m (128.7) but Ryota Yamamoto (JPN), going next, delivered another superb jump of 98.0m to take over with 132.3 points.
Paul Walcher (AUT) impressed with 97.5m (131.3) and Kristjan Ilves (EST) put himself in the podium mix with a 97.0m jump (129.8).
But Rehrl (below) flew even further – 98.5m – to take over at the top with 138.8 points, which ultimately proved enough for victory on the hill.
“It is good for the soul,” Rehrl said. “I am very happy with my performance after some tough weekends over the last two competitions.”
But two of the strongest skiers - Stefan Rettenegger (97.0m for 135.1 points) and Jens Luraas Oftebro (97.0m, 132.8) – both delivered on the hill, leaving themselves 12 and 17 seconds back respectively.
Thomas Rettenegger, who won Friday’s PCR, matched Rehrl’s 98.5m jump as the longest of the men’s competition, but with only 2.8 points of wind compensation compared to Rehrl’s 6.8, had to settle for second place on 135.3 points.
Lamparter, jumping last, produced a 96.0m jump for 131.9 points, leaving the Yellow Bib holder 26 seconds back in sixth heading to the cross-country.
The men will also compete in a Gundersen in Oberhof on Sunday, with the jumping scheduled to start at 09:15 CET and the cross-country at 15:45.
