Maiden Grand Prix win for Obermeyr in Chaux-Neuve

Fabio Obermeyr (AUT) celebrated the first Summer Grand Prix victory of his career in today’s Individual Gundersen competition in Chaux-Neuve (FRA), coming out on top of a tight four-man battle.

In bright sunshine, Richard Stenzel (GER) set the pace on the HS 118 at noon. The German jumped 113 meters and collected 121.9 points to take the lead ahead of the 10 km roller ski race through the village.

Simon Mach (GER) also reached 113 meters and scored 119.9 points, starting just eight seconds behind his teammate.

His brother David Mach (GER) completed an all-German top three after jumping. With 106 meters and 113.9 points, he started the race 32 seconds behind Stenzel.

Stenzel began strongly, but the chasing athletes quickly closed the gap. Already during the first of four 2.5 km laps, the German was caught at the front.

After 2.5 km, current Summer Grand Prix overall leader David Mach had taken over the lead, closely followed by Stenzel, Fabio Obermeyr (+0.4 sec) and Simon Mach (+0.8 sec).

The quartet stayed together throughout the second lap, sharing the work at the front. At the halfway point after 5 km, Obermeyr led the group, with David Mach just 0.5 seconds behind, Stenzel at +1 second and Simon Mach at +1.4 seconds.

Behind them, a second group led by Iacopo Bortolas (ITA) was 38.3 seconds back. The chasing pack also included strong skiers Manuel Faisst (GER) at +38.9 seconds and Julian Schmid (GER) at +39.9 seconds.

The four leaders remained together heading into the final lap. After 7.5 km, Simon Mach was at the front of the group alongside his brother David, Obermeyr and Stenzel.

Bortolas continued to lead the chase behind, but with the gap still at 36.7 seconds, the leading quartet was out of reach.

The victory was decided on the final lap.

Simon Mach was unable to stay with the pace when the other three raised the speed, but still crossed the finish line in fourth to achieve the best Summer Grand Prix result of his career.

At the front, Obermeyr, who currently leads the Best Skier Trophy, managed to open a small gap and held on to secure his maiden Summer Grand Prix victory by just 2.2 seconds.

David Mach won the battle for second place in a tough finish sprint, while Stenzel completed the podium in third, 5.3 seconds behind the winner.