The 2026 FESA Alpen Cup Nordic Combined season kicked off this weekend in the beautiful Villacher Alpenarena, where athletes from nine nations enjoyed excellent competition conditions and sunny autumn weather. The first Alpen Cup of the season brought together the next generation of Nordic Combined athletes for two exciting race days and provided a perfect start to the new campaign. 

 

In the women’s competitions, Slovenia’s Tia Malovrh demonstrated impressive consistency by winning both events. She secured victory in Saturday’s 5 km Gundersen competition ahead of Germany’s Mara Haefner and Austria’s Anna Brandner.

On Sunday, Tia Malovrh once again came out on top, followed by Anna Brandner and Ukraine’s Karina Kozlova. 

 

The men’s events were dominated by Germany’s Marcel Dickhaut, who celebrated a remarkable double victory. On Saturday, he claimed the first Alpen Cup win of the season in the 10 km Gundersen race ahead of Ansgar Schupp and Nick Seidel. One day later, Dickhaut continued his strong form with another victory in the 5 km Gundersen competition, while Nick Seidel and Hugo Ackermann completed the podium.

 

With athletes from seven nations in the women’s field and nine nations competing in the men’s events, Villach once again proved to be an outstanding host venue for international Nordic Combined competitions. 

 

FESA would like to express its sincere thanks to the organizing club SV Achomitz and the entire local organizing committee for their excellent work, warm hospitality and professional execution of the event. Their dedication ensured a successful opening weekend for the FESA Alpen Cup season.