Rettenegger claims first World Cup win as Austrians make history in Trondheim

Thomas Rettenegger (AUT) secured his first-ever World Cup victory in the men’s Mass Start Normal Hill at the Viessmann FIS Nordic Combined World Cup in Trondheim. The triumph came on the same day that 17‑year‑old compatriot Katharina Gruber made history as the first Austrian woman — and the youngest woman — to win a Nordic Combined World Cup, underscoring a breakthrough day for Austria. Franz‑Josef Rehrl also reached the podium for the Austrians after a strong jump.

Rettenegger placed seventh in the mass start cross-country race, finishing just 4.1 seconds behind race winner Johannes Rydzek (GER). He then delivered a 100 m jump worth 125.3 points, putting heavy pressure on Rydzek and Norwegians Jens Luraas Oftebro and Aleksander Skoglund. All three leaders fell back on the hill, while Germany’s Wendelin Thannheimer produced 121.0 points with a 96.5 m jump to claim his first World Cup podium in second, and Rehrl’s 97.5 m jump for 120.6 points secured third.

The athletes enjoyed calm conditions in Trondheim, a contrast to the strong winds in Ruka on opening weekend that forced the cancellation of the final-day mass start. Rettenegger’s brother Stefan animated the early laps before being reeled in by Italy’s Samuel Costa and the pack. The mass start concluded with Rydzek sprinting past Jens Luraas Oftebro to win the race section by 0.7 seconds, with Skoglund third and Stefan Rettenegger fourth, before the jumping phase reshuffled the overall podium.

Further notable results included Ilkka Herola’s 94.5 m jump for 118.7 points, and provisional-round winner Rehrl matching his form with 97.5 m. Johannes Lamparter arrived in Trondheim buoyed by two wins in Ruka but landed 97 m for 114.1 points and sixth. Olympic and overall champion Vinzenz Geiger, dealing with a recent foot injury from weight training, finished 19th with 105.2 points, while Nathalie Armbruster was under the weather on the women’s side. Japan’s Sora Yachi was disqualified for a suit infringement after the normal hill.

Rettenegger praised Gruber’s trailblazing victory as inspiration for the men’s team and called his own win “unbelievable,” citing the work and luck required to reach the top step in Nordic Combined.