Germany edges Austria in thrilling Mixed Team race

Germany claimed victory in the Mixed Team Nordic Combined competition in Ziano di Fiemme after a nail-biting duel with Austria I that came down to the final meters.

In summer conditions on the Giuseppe dal Ben HS109 in Predazzo, Austria I led after the morning ski jumping. Claudia Purker (97.5 m), Stefan Rettenegger (104.5 m, the day’s longest jump), Johannes Lamparter (100.5 m) and Lisa Hirner (101.5 m) totaled 531.1 points to top the standings.

Germany I—Jenny Nowak (96 m), Julian Schmid (101 m), Johannes Rydzek (101.5 m) and Nathalie Armbruster (94 m)—sat second with 504.1 points, 27 seconds back. Austria II was third thanks to Annalena Slamik (93 m), Paul Walcher (103.5 m), Thomas Rettenegger (103.5 m) and Katharina Gruber (94.5 m) with 503.7 points, starting the race alongside Germany.

The afternoon 5–2.5–2.5–5 km roller-ski race began with Johannes Lamparter heading out first for Austria I. He maintained the advantage, leading Julian Schmid and Thomas Rettenegger by 23.6 seconds after 2.5 km and handing to Claudia Purker with a 19.8-second gap. Germany steadily closed in: Jenny Nowak chased down Purker, trimming the deficit to 4.9 seconds after 7.5 km.

On the third leg, Lisa Hirner tried to defend Austria’s lead, but Germany’s Nathalie Armbruster stayed attached, preventing any escape. Norway I moved into podium contention as Ida Marie Hagen brought them into the fight before the final exchange.

The anchor leg set up a duel between Stefan Rettenegger and Johannes Rydzek. At 12.5 km they were separated by just 0.3 seconds, leading to a sprint finish. Rydzek, who said he pre-checked the finish and attacked from about 500 meters out, edged Rettenegger by 1.7 seconds to seal Germany’s win. Norway I, anchored by Einar Luraas Oftebro, passed Austria II’s Paul Walcher on the final lap to take third, 50.2 seconds behind.