Faisst wins Chaux-Neuve finale as Mach claims overall title

Manuel Faisst (GER) won the final Men’s FIS Nordic Combined Summer Grand Prix 2026 competition in Chaux-Neuve (FRA) today, while his teammate David Mach secured the overall Summer Grand Prix title.

Beneath a blue sky and in high temperatures, Richard Stenzel (GER) set the pace on the HS 118 at noon. The German produced the furthest jump of the day with 111.5 meters and collected 119.9 points to take the lead ahead of the final 7.5 km roller ski race through the village.

Manuel Faisst (GER) followed in second after landing at 108 meters and scoring 111.2 points. Due to the fixed starting times of the Individual Compact format, he started just six seconds behind his teammate.

Simon Mach (GER) completed an all-German top three after jumping with 106.5 meters and 110.6 points, starting 12 seconds behind Stenzel.

In bright sunshine and in front of a large Chaux-Neuve crowd, cheering loudly with flags, smoke torches and trumpets, the tight Compact starting gaps promised an intense battle for the final victory of the summer.

Stenzel quickly gave up his advantage to join forces with his teammates at the front. A four-man German leading group formed, sharing the work through the opening part of the race.

At the 2.5 km mark, Faisst was leading the German train, closely followed by David Mach, Stenzel and Simon Mach.

Behind them, yesterday’s winner Fabio Obermeyr (AUT) led a chasing group of ten athletes. The pack, which also included strong skiers Vid Vrhovnik (SLO) and Julian Schmid (GER), was 31.5 seconds behind the leaders after one third of the race.

The pace at the front remained high. After 5 km, three Germans were still together in the lead, with Faisst setting the tempo ahead of David Mach (+0.5 sec) and Stenzel (+1.1 sec).

Simon Mach was no longer able to follow and dropped 18.6 seconds behind.

The chasing group continued to close in, led by Vrhovnik at +27 seconds after 5 km. Obermeyr (+27.4 sec) stayed right on the Slovenian’s heels, with Schmid (+27.8 sec) close behind. On the final lap, the group caught Simon Mach.

Up front, Faisst raised the pace once more and tried to break away from his teammates. Stenzel managed to stay with him, setting up a German battle for the final victory.

Faisst proved strongest in the closing stages and crossed the finish line first to claim the win.

Stenzel followed just 2.9 seconds behind in second place, while David Mach secured third, 16.4 seconds behind the winner, completing an all-German podium.

Mach’s third place was enough to secure the overall Summer Grand Prix 2026 title. Faisst took second place, while Obermeyr secured third.

Stenzel finished the summer as winner of the Best Jumper Trophy, while Fabio Obermeyr, who placed fourth in today’s race, claimed the Best Skier Trophy.