German Nordic Combined Team Achieves Historic Podium Sweep in Ruka

Johannes Rydzek ends a six-year victory drought, leading Julian Schmid and Vinzenz Geiger in a triumphant World Cup performance.

Johannes Rydzek secured his first World Cup win in 2150 days, marking his 18th career victory in Nordic Combined.
The German trio of Rydzek, Schmid, and Geiger achieved a podium sweep, a feat not seen since 2018 for the team.
The victory comes during a pivotal season as the sport faces potential removal from the 2030 Winter Olympics program due to declining popularity.
Athletes criticized the International Ski Federation (FIS) for a limited competition schedule, which they argue hampers efforts to promote the sport's relevance.
Rydzek's win and the team's strong start provide a morale boost after a challenging previous season with few podium finishes.