The German Nordic combined team left Trondheim disappointed, failing to win individual medals at the World Championships. Nathalie Armbruster’s hopes were dashed, while Jenny Nowak finished fifth, just shy of the podium. Norway’s Gyda Westvold Hansen claimed gold, followed by teammate Ida Marie Hagen and Austria’s Lisa Hirner in bronze. Ingrid Laate ended fourth despite leading after the jump. Ronja Loh debuted in 20th place, while Armbruster salvaged eighth after a challenging start.
German Combiners Leave Trondheim without Individual Medals
The German Nordic combined team faced disappointment in Trondheim as they concluded their World Championship journey without securing an individual medal. On Sunday, March 2, 2025, co-favorite Nathalie Armbruster saw her aspirations dashed during the jumping event, while Norway’s Gyda Westvold Hansen claimed the gold medal.
Amidst heavy rainfall, Jenny Nowak emerged as Germany’s leading hope after the jumping round, finishing in sixth place, just eight seconds shy of the bronze medal. Unfortunately, Nowak was unable to mount a serious challenge for the podium, ultimately finishing as the top German competitor in fifth position. Armbruster, facing a challenging jump, made a remarkable recovery, moving from 20th to eighth place by the end of the race.
“I’m thrilled with how the competitions unfolded; it’s been a dream of mine. I’m incredibly proud,” Nowak expressed during an interview with ZDF. In contrast, Armbruster, who had envisioned herself on the podium, had to come to terms with her missed opportunity after a jump of just 87 meters. “Knowing I still managed to secure eighth place brings me some joy,” she stated.
Norway Celebrates Double Victory
Defending champion Gyda Westvold Hansen, who had not achieved a World Cup victory this season, delivered an outstanding performance when it mattered most. She finished 6.6 seconds ahead of her teammate Ida Marie Hagen, who, despite a strong effort, could not keep pace in the final sprint. Hagen successfully defended her silver medal against Austria’s Lisa Hirner, who surprised many by taking home the bronze.
Ingrid Laate, the jump leader from Norway, experienced a twist of fate, finishing fourth despite her jump victory. Starting with a 50-second advantage, Laate’s lead dwindled when her teammates caught up with her after three kilometers. Although she fell behind, Hirner, who ranked second after the jump, maintained her position and celebrated a bronze finish.
Nowak was eager to secure that elusive bronze medal, but her plan to catch Westvold Hansen quickly fell by the wayside, as the Norwegian started strong and raced ahead. Nowak maintained a steady pace on her own, fending off competition from Japan’s Yuna Kasai, concluding the race in fifth place with a time 41.1 seconds behind the winner. Meanwhile, Maria Gerboth struggled and finished in 13th place.
Making her World Championship debut, 19-year-old Ronja Loh from VSC Klingenthal finished in 20th place. After a jump measuring 91.5 meters, Loh began the race in 12th position, showcasing her potential for future competitions.
For Armbruster, the cross-country race was largely about salvaging her performance, starting as a distant 20th after her jump. “I can’t recall the last time I started from so far back,” she remarked on ZDF, having arrived in Norway as the World Cup leader. Despite her struggles on the hill, she fought back to finish in eighth place in the cross-country event.
Fans can catch all the action through live tickers, exclusive web streams, and detailed analyses of cross-country, ski jumping, and Nordic combined events from the 2025 Nordic Ski World Championship in Trondheim.