The Nordic combined athletes promoted their sport with a thrilling competition at their World Cup premiere on a flying hill. Johannes Rydzek prevailed in the finish sprint with a lead of 0.1 seconds over the Norwegian Einar Luraas Oftebro and secured third place at the Kulm in Bad Mitterndorf.
The victory was also decided in the finish sprint: The Finn Ilkka Herola also relegated the Austrian overall World Cup leader Johannes Lamparter to second place by 0.1 seconds in the final cross-country run over 7.5 kilometers.
The combination is about to be eliminated from the Olympics. The athletes want to use new methods to make the sport, which has been in the Olympic program since 1924, more attractive and to change the IOC’s mind. DSV sports director Horst Hüttel had previously spoken of the “mission to stay in the league”: “We have to ensure that the sport remains attractive, that can be an important step.”
At the premiere, Lamparter achieved the longest flight of 236.5 meters on a ski flying hill. The DSV combined athletes David Mach (220.5 meters), Wendelin Thannheimer (214.5), Johannes Rydzek (212.5) and Simon Mach (204) also cracked the 200 mark.
The Program Committee and the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will meet in May. After the discussions, the sports that should be included in the 2030 Winter Games in the French Alps will be proposed. The decision should then be announced in June.