Gruber celebrates first Summer Grand Prix victory

Katharina Gruber (AUT) claimed her first FIS Nordic Combined Summer Grand Prix victory in today’s Individual Gundersen competition in Chaux-Neuve (FRA), leading from the jumping hill all the way to the finish.

In bright sunshine, Gruber produced the furthest jump of the day on the HS 118, reaching 114 meters and collecting 114.7 points. The Austrian took a commanding lead and was therefore the first athlete to start into the 5 km roller ski race through Chaux-Neuve in the afternoon.

Her teammate Annalena Slamik (AUT) followed in second place after landing at 109 meters and scoring 102.2 points. She started the race 50 seconds behind Gruber.

Nathalie Armbruster (GER) ranked third with 103.5 meters and 99.7 points, heading onto the course 1:00 minute behind the leader.

Gruber delivered an impressive performance on the roller ski course and kept her opponents at a safe distance throughout the race.

Behind her, the fight for the remaining podium positions intensified. Slamik was unable to defend second place and dropped back during the final lap, while current Summer Grand Prix overall leader Ema Volavsek (SLO), who had been fifth after jumping, worked her way through the field.

Volavsek joined Armbruster in the chase for Gruber, but the Austrian remained firmly in control. At the 2.5 km mark, Gruber still held a 52.3-second advantage and proved untouchable at the front despite the chasing duo continuing to close the gap.

Gruber brought her lead safely to the finish to celebrate the first Summer Grand Prix victory of her career.

Behind her, second place came down to a tight finish sprint between Armbruster and Volavsek. The German pushed her foot across the line first to secure second place, 17.4 seconds behind the winner.

Volavsek followed just 0.4 seconds later in third, finishing 17.8 seconds behind Gruber.