Nordic Combined - German Outsiders - Who Will Dethrone the Kings of Norway?

Nordic Combined - German Outsiders - Who Will Dethrone the Kings of Norway?

Before the World Cup kick-off for Nordic Combined athletes in Ruka, one question looms: Can the dominant Jarl Magnus Riiber be beaten? The German athletes must bring more consistency to both their skiing and jumping performances.

To understand how Jarl Magnus Riiber has dominated the last winter for Nordic Combined, one only needs to look at the statistics. His worst result last World Cup season was a fifth place, with 16 wins and three second places to his name.

Riiber is looking to continue this success, although he tempered expectations in the lead-up due to persistent knee issues over the summer. "My jumping form isn’t where it should be, but hopefully strength and technique will return at the right time," said the 27-year-old. If he maintains this level of performance, it could be his fifth title, something no athlete has achieved.

The German team is unlikely to prevent Riiber from claiming victory. From a German perspective, Manuel Faißt was closest to the overall win last year, finishing seventh overall, followed by Johannes Rydzek. The DSV athletes, aside from Terence Weber, are performing significantly better on the slopes than on the jumps, most notably illustrated by Vinzenz Geiger, who excelled last winter as the fastest skier but struggled in jumping, hindering his overall results.

New rules regarding the jump competition will also apply to the Nordic Combined, valuing landing style and technique more significantly.

It's expected that Austrian athletes Stefan Rettenegger and Johannes Lamparter, who ended last season in second and third place overall, will challenge Riiber, although both have also faced health issues as they head into the new season.

If the German women's competition is considerably more open, with the Norwegian team led by Ida Marie Hagen having dominated recently, the article speculates whether German outsider Nathalie Armbruster can break through. Despite her young age and already a few podiums to her name, a World Cup victory remains elusive for her and fellow teammate Jenny Nowak.

The women’s competition starts a week later in Lillehammer, unlike the men’s events that commence this weekend.