14:56. Ingrid Laate started with a world of difference. 58 seconds ahead of her first pursuer at the end of the morning jump. But the Norwegian only lasted one lap on her skis. She started cautiously, lacking amplitude in her movements, and was unhooked by her rivals halfway through the 5-kilometre course.
The trio of Germany’s Nathalie Armbruster, Norway’s Ida Marie Hagen and the USA’s Alexa Brabec then broke away at the front. The latter dropped out with a few hectometres to go, leaving the two World Cup heavyweights to battle it out in a sprint. The Norwegian won the hard-fought sprint, beating the German by a tenth. The scenario could be a precursor of the season’s scenario between the two favourites.
Behind them, Alexia Brabec completed the podium (3rd, +13 sec 8), her first in her career, ahead of Austrian Katharina Gruber (4th, +45 sec 2). Ingrid Laate still finished in the top 10 (8th, +59 sec 8). Making her comeback after a spell in biathlon, American Tara Geraghty-Moats crossed the line 19th (+3 min 11 sec 9). They all occupied the same place overall, the event being the first of the season.
Starting in the wave after their complicated jump, the French girls grabbed the points. Léna Brocard finished 23rd, Marion Droz Vincent 30th and Romane Baud 31st.
The full rankings
2026NK4121ROFWorld Cup standings
2026NK4121WCRead also
- Trondheim: Marco Heinis in the top 10 of a pocket jump dominated by an Austrian quadruple
- The French eight at the Trondheim World Cup
