Hagen wins historic first SGP in Bischofshofen

Ida Marie Hagen (NOR) claimed victory in the first-ever Women’s FIS Nordic Combined Summer Grand Prix competition in Bischofshofen (AUT) today, overcoming jumping leader Alexa Brabec (USA) with a dominant roller-ski performance.

Beneath the burning afternoon sun, Brabec produced the longest jump of the day on the Paul-Außerleitner hill HS 142. The American landed at 131.5 meters and scored 123.6 points to take the lead and earn the right to start first into the 5 km roller ski city course later in the afternoon.

Overall World Cup winner Hagen put herself in a strong position for the chase with a jump of 125 meters and 119.7 points. The Norwegian ranked second and started just 16 seconds behind Brabec.

Ingrid Laate (NOR) finished third in the jumping round with 126.5 meters and 117.3 points, but did not start the cross-country race.

That moved local hero Katharina Gruber (AUT) into third position for the roller ski race. Supported by the home crowd, the Austrian started 25 seconds behind Brabec after jumping 130.5 meters and collecting 116.9 points.

The women faced four rounds of the 1.3 km city course, and Hagen wasted little time closing the gap at the front.

Already during the opening lap, the Norwegian caught Brabec and took over the lead. From there, Hagen continued to increase the pace and quickly opened a significant advantage over her closest rival.

After 3.8 km, Hagen had built a 38.2-second gap over Brabec, while Gruber held firmly onto third place, 56.2 seconds behind the leader.

The order remained unchanged until the finish.

Hagen completed a commanding performance to secure the victory, crossing the line 54.2 seconds ahead of Brabec in second place.

Gruber gave the Austrian home crowd another reason to celebrate, holding onto third position and finishing 59.9 seconds behind Hagen to complete the podium in Bischofshofen.