In Trondheim, defending World Cup champion Nathalie Armbruster finished second, only beaten by Norwegian Ida Marie Hagen.
Nathalie Armbruster narrowly missed a dream start at the World Cup opener in Trondheim, but immediately landed on the podium in second place.
The World Cup titleholder from the Black Forest was beaten by her Norwegian rival Ida Marie Hagen in a photo finish after a jump and five kilometers of running. She was 0.1 seconds short of her fourth career victory.
Nordic Combined: Armbruster satisfied with her jump
“I think that’s a good way to start the season,” said the still very happy 19-year-old: “I am definitely very satisfied with my jump.”
At the World Championships 2025 at the same venue, Armbruster missed the coveted medal in both individual competitions, but was later able to console himself with the historic triumph in the overall World Cup as the first German.
Hagen, who narrowly lost to Armbruster in the fight for the big crystal globe last year, celebrated her 18th World Cup victory. Third place went to Alexa Brabec (USA).
After the jumping, Armbruster was in third place. Norwegian Ingrid Laate took the lead with a 58-second lead over Finn Heta Hirvonen and 1:08 minutes over Armbruster – the weak runner Laate was passed through. Hagen was 23 seconds behind Armbruster.
Armbruster doesn’t have to contend with one rival this winter: World Cup record winner Gyda Westvold Hansen (Norway) has switched to the special jumpers – she now has the chance to participate in the Olympics.
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