Jens Luraas Oftebro Unstoppable
The DSV athletes missed out on the podium places at the Viessmann FIS Nordic Combined World Cup in Oberhof. In a race won by Norway’s Jens Luraas Oftebro, Johannes Rydzek was the best German finisher, crossing the line in fifth place.
In the individual compact competition, the Germans lost valuable meters—and thus points—especially on the Kanzlersgrund ski jump. As a result, they started the subsequent 7.5-kilometer race with a considerable deficit to the leaders. Richard Stenzel from Zella-Mehlis began the chase in 10th place, 38 seconds behind jumping winner Franz-Josef Rehrl of Austria. Johannes Rydzek followed in 11th (+40 seconds), Julian Schmid in 12th (+42), and Vinzenz Geiger in 16th (+50). By contrast, the Austrian and Norwegian athletes secured themselves a much better starting position.
Early on, a strong lead group formed featuring Jens Luraas Oftebro (4th after jumping, +17 seconds) and overall World Cup leader Johannes Lamparter of Austria (6th after jumping, +26 seconds). In the second lap, Julian Schmid and Johannes Rydzek temporarily closed the gap to the front, while local favourite Richard Stenzel had to let go early. In the third lap, the Norwegians increased the pace. The Oftebro brothers broke away decisively together with Lamparter and Stefan Rettenegger. The Germans paid the price for their earlier comeback efforts and were unable to follow the accelerations. In the end, Jens Luraas Oftebro was the first to turn onto the finishing straight. Currently the strongest cross-country skier among the Nordic combined athletes, he did not let victory slip away. In a thrilling race, he relegated Lamparter to second place (+1.7 sec) and his brother Einar Luraas Oftebro (NOR) to third (+1.9). Stefan Rettenegger (AUT) narrowly missed out on the podium, finishing fourth (+3.1).
From a German perspective, Johannes Rydzek delivered a top result. The Olympic champion worked his way forward with a strong skiing performance, moving up from 11th to fifth place (+10.3). “I really enjoyed racing here in Oberhof at this level—an amazing backdrop, fantastic weather, perfect conditions, and a great atmosphere,” the veteran praised the organizers of the AXA Winter Weeks and the Oberhof crowd. “The spectators really pushed me in the final lap,” Rydzek said at the finish.
Julian Schmid had to invest too much after breaking a pole while trying to close the gap to the leading group and dropped back over the course of the race, ultimately finishing ninth. Vinzenz Geiger took full risk and went all-in early. However, last season’s overall World Cup winner overreached himself completely and fell far back, ending up in 23rd place. Manuel Faisst finished 13th, Wendelin Thannheimer 14th, and local favourite Richard Stenzel 17th.
National coach Eric Frenzel summed up: “A very tough race—the course is extremely demanding. Richi with fifth place—that’s a solid result. On the hill we need to jump a bit better tomorrow and iron out small mistakes.”