WM: Combined team is on course for a medal after jumping

At halftime of the competition, Martin Fritz, Stefan Rettenegger, Lukas Greiderer and Johannes Lamparter are 20 seconds behind the leading defending champion Norway, where the normal hill world champion Jarl Magnus Riiber marked the maximum distance of 139 m.

The third-placed Germans are three seconds behind the Austrians for the 4 x 5 km cross-country event. Planica. These three teams are favored in the fight for the medals, the fourth-placed French are 40 seconds behind the Norwegians, behind the Japanese 1:15 min.

The Austrians have to give up Franz-Josef Rehrl, third on the normal hill, because of an illness, just like in the mixed competition. The decision from 3.10 p.m. is about the fifth Austrian medal in these title fights after bronze from Rehrl and the combination mixed team as well as silver in ski jumping from Eva Pinkelnig from the normal hill in the individual and with the women’s team.

Riiber is careful

Fritz opened the competition for the Austrians in difficult conditions with a passable 120 m jump and put his team in second place. “With the conditions that were, that (the jump, note) was really good for me,” said the Styrian.

Position two did not give up red-white-red in a row. Rettenegger followed 121 m, Greiderer and Lamparter each jumped 130 m. In the end, the Germans came very close to the Austrians with a 137 m leap through Julian Schmid in good conditions.

Riiber had problems in the test jump, but flipped the switch after technical changes. “It’s going to be tough because Germany and Austria can run together. 20 seconds isn’t much,” said Riiber, who has already won two gold medals in Planica. Greiderer spoke of very difficult conditions with snowfall and wind. Lamparter found his jump okay, but not a “top bomb”. “The goal is clear, that we work together with the Germans. Maybe we can get to the Norwegians. There is a chance that the gap can be closed.”