German collapse in women’s Nordic combined shocks observers

The women’s Nordic combined event in Ramsau took a dramatic turn when Germany’s Nathalie Armbruster lay down in the middle of a long uphill during the 5 km cross‑country race. She had been part of a front duo with Norway’s Ida Marie Hagen, who ultimately won the cross‑country leg and the overall competition after also topping the ski jumping phase.

TV 2’s expert Petter Skinstad reacted live, saying spectators and officials should have intervened immediately. After roughly 20 seconds on the ground, Armbruster stood up, was given a new pole, and resumed racing. She eventually crossed the finish line—reported variously as 12th or 13th—before receiving support from the German staff in the finish area.

Norway’s Nordic combined chief Ivar Stuan, on site in Austria, told TV 2 and NRK that Armbruster had simply “paid the price” for trying to follow Hagen’s pace, and that the images looked worse than the situation actually was. He added that a coach’s zone being further down the course delayed staff from reaching her immediately, but medical personnel had the situation under control.

NRK commentator Jan Petter Saltvedt criticized that she was allowed to continue given how exhausted she appeared in such a short race, arguing that ensuring her well‑being should have taken precedence over any World Cup points. Despite the scare, Stuan said the German coaches indicated Armbruster was fine and ready to jump again later in the day.

Hagen dominated the cross‑country portion, winning by nearly 30 seconds over the next competitor and securing overall victory in Ramsau.