Youth Cup: Eight nations celebrate podium finishes in Oberstdorf

The second competition day of the FIS Youth Cup in Oberstdorf (GER) saw an Individual Compact event on the program for the 137 athletes from 13 nations. Unlike the opening day, where cross runs were held, this time the young talents had to prove themselves in roller ski races following the Ski Jumping round on the HS60 hill.

Boys I

Germany’s Eric Foerschler impressed in the Ski Jumping round of the Boys I category, flying 59.5 meters for 120.8 points. France’s Gabriel Barkats Brandina followed with 58 meters (117.3 pts), starting 6 seconds later, while Austria’s Maximilian Ferner placed third with 58.5 meters (112.9 pts), 12 seconds behind the leader.

The 3 km roller ski race turned into a duel at the front between Foerschler and Brandina. The French youngster made his decisive move and crossed the line first, celebrating his first Youth Cup victory, 7.4 seconds ahead of Foerschler. Ferner held onto third, finishing 9.1 seconds back.

Germany’s Fin Rießle, who had the fastest skiing time of the day, stormed from 8th after jumping up to 4th place. With this win, the 14-year-old Brandina also claimed the yellow bib as overall Youth Cup leader in Boys I.

Results: IC, Boys I – 27.8.25 Oberstdorf

Girls I

The Girls I Ski Jumping round was led by Germany’s Mara Haefner, who jumped 56 meters for 109.8 points. Austria’s Lena Gollmitzer followed closely with 57 meters (109.7 pts), but started 6 seconds behind due to the format. Another German, Charlotte Starke, reached 54.5 meters (104.5 pts) and went into the race 12 seconds after the leader.

Haefner dominated the 2 km roller ski race from start to finish, building an early lead and claiming her second Youth Cup victory by 16.2 seconds. Michele-Sophie Eller, winner of both Youth Cups in Tschagguns 2024, moved up from 4th after jumping to finish second. Starke secured third place, finishing 17.6 seconds behind Haefner to complete a German podium sweep.

With back-to-back wins, Haefner now leads the overall Girls I ranking.

Results: IC, Girls I – 27.8.25 Oberstdorf

Boys II

In the Boys II category, Estonia’s Fred Gustavson led after the Ski Jumping round with 57.5 meters (114.7 pts), giving him a 6-second advantage going into the 4 km roller ski race. Austria’s Simon Grossegger followed with 57 meters (113 pts), while Jakub Cichowlas of Poland placed third at 57.5 meters (112.5 pts).

Gustavson tried to defend his lead on the course, but the pace behind was relentless. Grossegger eventually dropped back, while Slovenia’s Lovro Percl Serucnik, who was only 10th after jumping, charged through the field with the fastest skiing time. The race ended in a thrilling sprint finish, where Gustavson held on to win by just 1.8 seconds ahead of Cichowlas, with Serucnik in third.

For Gustavson, 17, it was his first Youth Cup triumph. Serucnik, with his consistent performances, now leads the overall Boys II standings.

Results: IC, Boys II – 27.8.25 Oberstdorf

Girls II

Ukraine’s Karina Kozlova topped the Ski Jumping round in Girls II with the day’s best distance of 58.5 meters (108.6 pts). Italy’s Ludovica Del Bianco followed with 55 meters (102.6 pts), 6 seconds behind, while Slovakia’s Lucia Siragiova landed 52.5 meters (97.5 pts) to secure third.

The race, however, shifted the order. Kozlova dropped back to 7th place, while Switzerland’s Giulia Belz put on a sensational performance. Starting from 6th after jumping, the 17-year-old delivered the fastest skiing time and claimed her second win in Oberstdorf, finishing 7.1 seconds ahead of Germany’s Pia Schneider, who rose from 4th to second. Del Bianco slipped one spot but still reached the podium in third, 17.3 seconds behind Belz.

With her second consecutive victory, Belz takes over the lead in the Girls II overall ranking.

Results: IC, Girls II – 27.8.25 Oberstdorf