As at the beginning of the season, Jarl Magnus Riiber started again with a big lead into the cross-country race over a distance of only five kilometers today. In ski jumping, the Norwegian had the second best distance with a significantly stronger tail wind and thus gained a lead of 32 seconds over his brother Harald Johnas Riiber (NOR, Fischer ***). Jarl Magnus Riiber started cross-country skiing at full speed and was able to significantly extend his lead in the first few kilometers. After the first lap, a group of six chasers had formed, which only focused on their own racing tactics and just let Riiber race alone. Due to the slow pace, more athletes joined the chasing group during the second lap, led by Seefeld specialist Eric Frenzel (GER, Fischer ***), but they fell behind in an attack on the penultimate climb. There Jørgen Graabak, Espen Bjørnstad (NOR, Fischer ***) and Vinzenz Geiger broke away from the other athletes. The German attacked in the last small climb in front of the stadium and was no longer catchable by Jørgen Graabak on the home straight. 44 seconds behind Riiber both secured the podium places which Espen Bjørnstad missed shortly. "It was very stressful, it was just a short break before skiing. I focused on racing at a high pace from the start. That is a good advantage for tomorrow, I can take it easy and hope that I can do it can continue to expand", said Riiber. Jens Lurås Oftebro (NOR, Fischer ***) finished fifth ahead of Akito Watabe (JPN, Fischer ***), Harald Johnas Riiber achieved his best World Cup result ahead of Eric Frenzel in seventh. Ilkka Herola (FIN, Fischer ***) came in tenth.
* = Fischer skis
** = Fischer skis and bindings
*** = Fischer skis, bindings and boots
