The new year begins with a packed weekend of competitions in Estonia.
Otepää welcomes the world’s best Nordic Combined men and women in the Tehvandi stadium and HS97 from January 5th to 8th for five exciting competitions.
In addition to a Mixed Team event on Friday, a Mass Start for men and women is scheduled on Saturday as well as an Individual event for both genders on Sunday.
With two double wins in December 2021, all eyes will be on Norways Jarl Magnus Riiber and Gyda Westvold Hansen again, who will travel to Otepää as current Overall World Cup leaders in the yellow bib.
After impressive performances in the first period of the 2022/23 season, they are also the favorites to claim some victories in Estonia.
With their team colleagues Ida Marie Hagen and Jens Luraas Oftebro, who also impressed with podium spots in the previous weeks, even more Norwegians have the chance to collect valuable points in Otepää.
Therefore, especially for the Mixed Team event, Norway is as Nations Cup leader in both genders the top favorite.
For Germany, youngster Nathalie Armbruster is considered a podium candidate, while Vinzenz Geiger and Julian Schmid want to fight Riiber for victory on the men’s side.
Austria relies on double world champion Johannes Lamparter and Youth Olympic champion Lisa Hirner.
For the home crowd, the focus will particularly be on local hero Kristjan Ilves who returns to his home events with some good memories, after winning the Continental Cup in Otepää 2017 and finishing 8th in 2021.
With a positive snow control and a promising weather forecast for the upcoming week, Otepää is ready for a tightly packed weekend of five World Cup events.
