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MANNINEN REPEATS AS NORDIC COMBINED
CHAMP
Defending champion Hannu Manninen
of Finland clinched the Nordic Combined overall World
Cup title Friday, after beating rival Ronny Ackermann
in a sprint event. Manninen, who was 10th after ski jumping,
was sharp from the start of the cross-country portion
and overtook Ackermann.
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The German started ninth, but only
12 meters ahead of Manninen. After about eight minutes,
Manninen moved to the top spot, finishing in 19 minutes,
6.2 seconds. "The situation after the ski jump was
very good, with Ackermann only about 10 meters ahead.
I could go out with a relaxed mind," Manninen said.
Bjorn Kircheisen of Germany finished second, 2.5 seconds
behind. Ackermann was third, 22.3 behind, followed by
Magnus Moan of Norway. Manninen picked up his ninth win
in 14 events this season. He has 1,226 points overall,
clinching the title with three events to go, with Ackermann
second (870). American Todd Lodwick, who was eighth Friday,
is third overall with 596 points.
Manninen won the World Cup last year, also beating Ackermann,
the 2002 and 2003 overall winner. Manninen had a terrible
world championships last month in Germany, where he failed
to win a medal. "I made a brilliant performance here,
I managed to get myself together after the world championships,"
Manninen said. "Winning here ... makes up for the
worlds."
seattlepi.nwsource.com
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