Germany edges Slovenia in thrilling Team Sprint

The women’s team competition at the FIS Nordic Combined Summer Grand Prix in Chaux-Neuve delivered a dramatic, shoulder-to-shoulder finish as Germany I narrowly defeated Slovenia after a tense battle across both the ski jumping and roller-ski legs.

Under sunny skies on the La Côté Feuillée HS118 hill, Germany I—Jenny Nowak (104 m) and Nathalie Armbruster (108 m)—scored 197.7 points to lead after jumping, earning the first start in the 2x4.5 km roller-ski relay. Slovenia was close behind thanks to Teja Pavec (105 m) and Ema Volavšek (103 m), whose 192.2 points left them just seven seconds back. Finland, with Anna Kerko (89.5 m) and Minja Korhonen (107 m), sat third on 172.9 points, 33 seconds behind. The round was marred by a fall from Germany’s Maria Gerboth, who matched the day’s longest jump at 108 m but crashed on landing.

The relay quickly became a duel. Nowak and Pavec shadowed each other on leg one before handing to Armbruster and Volavšek, who entered the exchange zone together after 3 km. Finland maintained third with Korhonen handing to Kerko, while France I, led by Romane Baud, trailed by about 40 seconds and fell out of contention as the race progressed.

At halfway (4.5 km), the leaders remained locked together, again exchanging in unison. By 7.5 km, Nowak dug deep to create a slender 10-second buffer over Pavec, giving Armbruster a small cushion for the anchor leg. Volavšek counterattacked and closed hard, but Armbruster held firm to bring Germany I across the line first by 3.2 seconds over Slovenia. Finland completed the podium, with Korhonen finishing 1:42.8 behind. France I was unable to bridge the gap.

RESULT HIGHLIGHTS - 1) Germany I (Jenny Nowak / Nathalie Armbruster) - 2) Slovenia (Teja Pavec / Ema Volavšek) +3.2 s - 3) Finland (Minja Korhonen / Anna Kerko) +1:42.8

Venue: Chaux-Neuve (FRA) – La Côté Feuillée HS118 Event: FIS Nordic Combined Summer Grand Prix, Women’s Team Sprint (2x4.5 km, roller-ski)