Nordic Combined: Ilkka Herola comes out on top in a crazy race
The penultimate round of the Nordic Combined World Cup season in Oslo-Holmenkollen (Norway) came to a close on Sunday with a crazy cross-country race. At the end of the individual compact, Ilkka Herola capitalised on her fantastic jump in the morning to claim her first success on the circuit at the age of 29.
Alone throughout the race, the Finn was never seen again by his main rivals. Behind him, Germany’s Vinzenz Geiger made up five precious places to take second place and the yellow circuit leader’s bib. Austrian Johannes Lamparter completed the day’s podium.
A few seconds further back, Frenchman Laurent Muhlethaler also shone. Fourth after a fantastic springboard run, the Prémanonier hung on on the boards to claim a top 5 finish. It was his best result of the season. Gaël Blondeau also put in a fine performance, finishing a very respectable twentieth after starting in 35th place. Marco Heinis finished 31st, while Tom Rochat finished 38th to score his first points in the elite category.
For his very last race of his career, King Jarl Magnus Riiber made the most of his last moments on the track despite a crash in one of the bends on the track. The Norwegian crossed the line in forty-fifth place after taking the time to greet all the Scandinavian staff.
The full rankings
The overall World Cup standings
Read also
- In front of his fans, Jarl Magnus Riiber decided to end his career before the end of the season.
- Oslo-Holmenkollen: Ilkka Herola takes the lead after a jump from 146 metres, Laurent Muhlethaler in contention for the podium in the individual compact event
- Oslo-Holmenkollen: Gyda Westvold Hansen alone in the world on the gundersen, Léna Brocard just outside the top 15
- Oslo-Holmenkollen: Vinzenz Geiger wins over Jarl Magnus Riiber on the gundersen, Laurent Muhlethaler best Blue
