Eric Frenzel won the first of four Nordic Combined Summer Grand Prix competition this summer in Oberstdorf (GER) ahead of his teammate and local hero Johannes Rydzek and Magnus Moan from Norway.
The competition was influenced by strong and changing winds so the trial round on the “Schattenbergschanze” could not be completed; after a couple of delays also the competition round became a victim of the weather conditions. So the result of the provisional competition round on Friday counted for the starting order of the 10 km roller ski race. Since the results of the Summer Grand Prix count for the World Cup starting quota, all athletes used identical equipment that was distributed 25 minutes before the start.
“It was a difficult race in which I gave it all”, said Frenzel afterwards. “It’s nice to win here but I already look forward to Oberwiesenthal and competing at home!”
On Sunday, Johannes Rydzek won the 2nd competition in heavy rain. In his home town Rydzek, who already led after the jumping, won ahead of Francois Braud (FRA) and Janne Ryynaenen (FIN) in third. Frenzel, who won on Saturday, was fourth after a photo finish.
After changing winds impacted the jumping, the roller skiing race was held in heavy rain and so the race near the Ski Flying hill in Oberstdorf was even harder for the athletes. “It was really very difficult today”, Rydzek said, “but I’m happy that I could win in front of my home crowd. Now I’m in the lead of the Summer Grand Prix overall ranking. We’ll see what happens in Oberwiesenthal!”
The final two competitions of the 2010 Summer Grand Prix will take place at the weekend in Oberwiesenthal (GER). It is likely that the Frenzel-Rydzek duel will continue there.
Contributed by Egon Theiner
Source: FIS
