Lillehammer (NOR): Riiber beats the cold on home soil
Dec 03, 2023·Nordic Combined
Jarl Magnus Riiber also took the victory of the large hill competition in Lillehammer today, despite the bitter cold temperatures in Norway.
The Norwegian was already in the lead after the Ski Jumping competition on the Lysgårdsbakken HS 140.
In icy temperatures of -18 degrees yesterday’s winner jumped the furthest distance of the day with 1t41 meters (162.1 pts) in the morning and took the lead. Therefore, he was the first one to start into the 10 km cross-country race at noon.
Rank 2 after jumping went to Johannes Lamparter from Austria, who landed at 135 meters (148.4 pts) and went into the course 55 seconds after Riiber.
Ryota Yamamoto (135 mts, 147.1 pts) placed third with 1 minute behind the leader.
Like yesterday, Riiber confidently defended his lead right up to the finish line.
Behind him there was once again a tough battle for the remaining two podium places.
For a long time, the Austrian trio around Johannes Lamparter, Stefan Rettenegger and Franz-Josef Rehrl were the direct chasing group.
However, they couldn't close the gap to Riiber and were still 57.8 seconds behind after 5km.
Meanwhile, a six-man group led by strong skiers Jens Luraas Oftebro and Joergen Graabak approached from behind.
In the last lap they caught up with the Austrians, so Lamparter launched an attack and was able to successfully open a gap.
The Overall World Cup second managed to brush off the strong Norwegians and secured rank 2, 33.8 seconds behind Riiber.
In an exciting Norwegian duel with a photo finish, Graabak (+36.5 sec) narrowly beat his teammate Oftebro (+36.5 sec) and came third.
After a break next weekend, the last World Cup before Christmas will take place in Ramsau (AUT).
SJ Results: IG Men HS140/10km – 03.12.23 Lillehammer
Overall Results: IG Men HS140/10km – 03.12.23 Lillehammer
