Olympic Winter Games 2026 live: Latest News - Germany's Olympic heartbreak: Crash ends Nordic combined medal hopes in 2026
Germany's Nordic combined team suffered a major setback at the 2026 Winter Olympics. After leading by 13 seconds in the team sprint, a crash cost them a podium finish. The result marks their worst Olympic performance in the event since 1998.
The team entered the cross-country portion of the sprint with a comfortable 13-second advantage. But disaster struck when Vinzenz Geiger crashed not once, but twice during the race. Each fall pushed the squad further behind, erasing their early dominance.
The mistakes proved costly. Germany, once in first place, dropped to fifth by the finish line. They crossed 1:06.1 minutes behind the gold medallists, ending their hopes of a medal.
After the race, Geiger openly shared his frustration. 'I'm absolutely gutted,' he admitted, reflecting on the missed opportunity.
The team's fifth-place finish confirms their lowest Olympic result in the event in nearly 30 years. Without a medal, Germany leaves the 2026 Games with a rare gap in their Nordic combined record. The crash and time loss ultimately decided their fate.
