Jarl Magnus Riiber extends winning streak with Nordic Combined World Cup mass start victory in Otepaa

Jarl Magnus Riiber continued his dominant FIS Nordic Combined World Cup campaign with a victory in the mass start event in Otepaa.

The Norwegian swept the Seefeld triple at the start of February, before maintaining that form in Estonia to extend his winning streak to eight successive World Cup victories and remain unbeaten in 2024.

Riiber used a fast finish in the cross-country to lead the way from German duo Vinzenz Geiger and Johannes Rydzek.

That ensured he was the final athlete to jump in Estonia, producing the longest leap of the day, 99 metres, to take the win.

He finished 7.3 points clear of home favourite Kristjan Ilves, who jumped well to secure silver, with Johannes Lamparter moving up to third.

Riiber now leads the overall World Cup by 409 points, ahead of Austria’s Stefan Rettenegger and compatriot Joergen Graabak in the standings, and is moving closer to reclaiming the crown he had won four times in succession prior to last season.

There was more drama in the women’s event as Gyda Westvold Hansen overhauled compatriot Ida Marie Hagen to take victory as Norway swept the podium.

Hagen led by 2.7 points after the cross-country, but Westvold Hansen scored 131.7 on the ski jumping to finish on 129 points, finishing 15.6 points clear of Hagen, with Mari Leinan Lund completing the Norwegian podium sweep.

Despite surrendering the win, Hagen remained top of the World Cup standings, 80 points clear of Westvold Hansen.

Competition in Otepaa continues on Saturday with an individual gundersen.