Volavsek wins tight Compact battle in Bischofshofen

Ema Volavsek (SLO) claimed victory in today’s Individual Compact at the FIS Nordic Combined Summer Grand Prix in Bischofshofen (AUT), beating Ida Marie Hagen (NOR) in a thrilling finish sprint.

Beneath cloudy skies, local hero Katharina Gruber (AUT) delivered the strongest performance on the Paul-Ausserleitner hill HS 142. The Austrian jumped the furthest distance of the day with 134 meters and 127.6 points to take the lead ahead of the 5 km roller ski race through the city.

Alexa Brabec (USA) finished second in the jumping round with 130 meters and 120.8 points. Due to the fixed starting times of the Compact format, the American started six seconds behind Gruber.

Yesterday’s winner Ida Marie Hagen (NOR) ranked third after jumping 129 meters and scoring 117.5 points, putting her 12 seconds behind the leader at the start of the roller ski race.

Gruber managed to defend her lead throughout the opening lap, but the gap quickly disappeared behind her. Hagen and Volavsek, who had started the race from fourth position, closed in rapidly and were only 1.1 seconds behind the Austrian after 1.3 km. Brabec followed in fourth, 8.4 seconds back.

Hagen then took over at the front, but Volavsek stayed right on her heels. At the halfway point, just 0.5 seconds separated the two, while Gruber had fallen 11.8 seconds behind in third.

From there, Hagen and Volavsek turned the race into a head-to-head battle for victory.

It all came down to the final sprint, where Volavsek narrowly edged ahead to secure the win. Hagen crossed the finish line just 0.3 seconds behind in second place.

Gruber held onto third position and completed the podium on home soil, finishing 52.1 seconds behind the winner.

With her second podium of the weekend, Hagen takes over the lead in the Summer Grand Prix overall standings.