Stage free for a new competition format

World Champion Eric Frenzel secured another entry in the history books of Nordic combined as the winner of the first Penalty Race at World Cup level.

The 23-year-old Oberwiesenthaler, who celebrated his third World Cup victory in this historic moment, spoke positively about the new competition format: 'I am satisfied with this format and hope very much that it was well received on television.' In his view, the most important thing is that the competition is truly exciting and thus accepted by the spectators. 'Then it is certainly another step forward for Nordic combined,' says Frenzel.

It was on February 26, 2011, when Eric Frenzel achieved the greatest success of his still young career so far. Together with his teammate Tino Edelmann, he stood on the podium at the World Championships in Oslo — proudly holding up his first gold medal for the cameras of the journalists.

At the time not yet among the closest favorites, Frenzel is today a steadfast part of the world elite in Nordic combined. With already 66 starts at World Cup races and various successes to his name, the father of a 4-year-old son remains modest. He draws his strength for the sport mainly from the support of his family and friends. 'My dad sparked my interest in this beautiful sport. He was the one who looked after my first training group in Geyer back then,' Frenzel recalls on his homepage about his first moments in Nordic skiing.

The success at the first Penalty Race in the history of Nordic combined will surely not be the last highlight for Eric Frenzel. The season is still young and Frenzel is already in great form: 'I am getting better from competition to competition. My jumping performances are becoming more stable and running is also going better. So I am very positive about the next few weeks!'

At the start of a winter with an increasingly packed competition calendar for the athletes, one can certainly say: there will be victories by seasoned veterans as well as surprise contenders on the podium — Eric Frenzel should always be kept in mind.

Silke Tegethof/Mariele Stockinger

Source: www.nordische-kombination.de