Park City, Utah (February 11, 2024) – Men’s and Women’s Nordic Combined wrapped up the World Cup events in Otepää, Estonia, earlier today. Niklas Malacinski was able to record a new World Cup personal best for Men’s Nordic Combined, with Annika Malacinski notching a top 10 finish and two top 15 finishes for Women’s Nordic Combined.
Men’s Nordic Combined
Competition kicked-off on Friday, February 9th, as athletes competed in the Mass Start HS97/10km World Cup. On the cross-country course, Niklas Malacinski finished 21st overall (21:48.4 total time), with Ben Loomis right behind in 25th (22:07.1), Stephen Schumann in 29th (22:12.4), and Grant Andrews in 43rd (23:09.1). Athletes then moved to the hill, with Malacinski going 88.0 meters for 93.7 points, as he was able to place 23rd overall. Loomis finished in 29th, as he put together an 86.5 meter jump for 88.2 points. Schumann placed 32nd, going 86.0 meters for 82.2 points, with Andrews coming in at 40th overall (88.0 meters, 71.8 points).
The second World Cup of the weekend came on Saturday, February 10th, with athletes competing in a HS97/10km event. On the hill, Loomis jumped to 14th overall, as he went 96.5 meters for 110.8 points. Malacinski was close behind in 18th, as he put together a 93.0 meter jump for 109.6 points. Andrews then jumped to 42nd (84.0 meters, 88.3 points), with Schumann right behind in 43rd (82.5 meters, 87.3 points). During the 10km, Malacinski skied up to place 14th overall, finishing the course in 21:59.2 and carding a new World Cup personal best. Loomis fell back during the 10km, as he completed the course with a 22:58.1 total time, placing 22nd overall. Schumann then placed 41st overall (22:46.3), with Andrews coming in 46th.
Athletes then closed out competition in Otepää with another HS97/10km World Cup on Sunday, February 11th. Loomis had the best day on the hill out of the four athletes, going 93.5 meters for 115.1 points. Malacinski jumped to 31st (85.0 meters, 95.5 points), with Andrews in 37th (86.5 meters, 92.8 points) and Schumann in 41st (82.5 meters, 87.9 points). During the 10km, Loomis recorded the highest finish of the day, placing 24th overall with a total time of 23:44.8. Malacinski then finished 32nd overall (23:33.5), with Schumann coming in 37th (23:15.7) and Andrews in 44th (24:44.6), as Men’s Nordic Combined ended their time in Otepää.
Women’s Nordic Combined
Annika Malacinski was the sole athlete to represent the United States at the Women’s Nordic Combined World Cup events in Otepää. The weekend kicked-off on Friday, February 9th, with athletes competing in a Mass Start HS97/5km World Cup. On the cross-country course, Malacinski finished 15th overall, as she finished the 5km in 13:14.0. On the hill, Malacinski was able to jump her way into the top 10, putting together an 86.0 meter jump for 83.6 points, placing 10th overall.
Competition resumed on Saturday, February 10th, with an HS97/5km World Cup. Malacinski jumped to the 11th position, as she went 89.5 meters for 991. points. She was then able to maintain her position in the 5km race, finishing 11th overall with a time of 13:48.1. Athletes wrapped up competition in Otepää on Sunday, February 11th, as they took the hill for another HS97/5km World Cup. Malacinski jumped her way to 13th, as she went 79.5 meters for 79.6 points. She was then able to ski up one position in the 5km, finishing 12th overall with a 14:05.2 total time.
Results
Men’s and Women’s Nordic Combined World Cups – Otepää, Estonia