Curtain up for the ladies

Updated on 25.01.2023

First Nordic Combined Women's World Cup in Seefeld

On Friday, 27.01.2023, the Nordic Combined Triple will be celebrating its tenth anniversary and Seefeld will once again become the centre of Nordic combined for a weekend. This year, for the first time, not only for the men, but also for the women. This is because the world elite of the Nordic combined women will also be competing in two World Cup events on Tyrol's high plateau next Friday and Saturday.

In addition to the big favourites Gyda Westvold Hansen (Norway), Nathalie Armbruster (Germany) and Lisa Hirner (Austria), there are also three women in the field who could definitely be described as locals, even though they come from three different nations: Tyrolean Annalena Slamik (Absam), German Magdalena Burger (Garmisch-Partenkirchen) and Italian Annika Sieff (Val di Fiemme). The Seefeld Sport Arena has become a sporting home for all of them.

Three locals get involvedSlamikwas born in Absam and most people would probably put her on the local list. After all, her famous neighbour from Hall, Johannes Lamparter, is also considered a local hero at his home World Cup. Like him, the 19-year-old spends a lot of time training in Seefeld. "The Toni Seelos ski jumps are my home ski jumps, I really train here a lot." Slamik is all the more delighted to now be able to compete in a World Cup here. "Competing together with the men in Seefeld is very cool because there's always a great atmosphere and lots of people come to watch." The Tyrolean's family will also be among them. A special situation that gives her extra motivation.

Burger's family will also be coming to the arena on Friday morning, including her grandparents, to cheer on the 17-year-old. Their journey from nearby Bavaria is hardly longer than that of Slamik's relatives. "It really feels like a home competition for me," says Burger. "Because I simply grew up jumping in Seefeld." Although her first attempts at jumping took place at home in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, she then took her first steps on the large bakken on Tyrol's high plateau.

Geographically, Sieff lives the furthest away from Seefeld. The 19-year-old is at home in Val die Fiemme, not far from Predazzo, the Nordic Olympic centre for 2026, and this is precisely the reason why Sieff has now become half Seefeld native. "Our ski jumps at home are currently being remodelled, so we're actually always here training," she explains with a smile. But that's not the only reason she's looking forward to the upcoming World Cup. "I've always liked the ski jump because it's a bit bigger than the others, which suits me." Sieff is a flyer who always makes valuable time for her run on the hill.

How well she does this on Friday and Saturday remains to be seen. If she manages to fly, she is certainly a top candidate for the podium, on which she has already stood twice this year. Slamik and Burger are still some way off the top. But if they do well on the ski jump, they will also be able to keep up with the best in the cross-country race and make it into the top ten.

ProgrammeFriday, 27.01.202310:45 women's ski jumping HS 10914:15 women's cross-country skiing, 5 kilometres

Saturday, 28.01.202308:45 amWomen's ski jumping HS 10915:00 amWomen's cross-country skiing, 5 kilometres

Award ceremony together after the men's raceFor royalty-freeimages, please see the attachment. Picture credits according to copyright notice.BU1: Annalena Slamik, ©GEPA/ÖSVBU2: Annika Sieff training in the Seefeld Sports Arena © Region SeefeldBU3: Magdalena Burger at the Alpencup in Seefeld season 2021/22 © Region Seefeld