Olympic Preparation
Vinzenz Geiger wins Seefeld Nordic combined compact in sprint finish
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German athlete Vinzenz Geiger claimed victory in the men's compact race of the Seefeld Triple on January 31, 2026, edging out Austria's Johannes Lamparter in a thrilling sprint. In the women's event, Norway's Ida Marie Hagen secured her eighth win of the season, extending her lead in the World Cup standings. The races, held just a week before the Milan-Cortina Olympics, featured a finish profile similar to the upcoming Games.
Germany's Laura Gimmler and Coletta Rydzek executed a flawless strategy to win the women's freestyle team sprint at the Cross-Country World Cup in Goms, Switzerland, on January 23, 2026. The race, the last before the Milano Cortina Olympics, saw France's Léonie Perry and Mélissa Gal secure seventh place, their best result in the format since 2010. Notable absences, including Sweden's top sprinters and the United States' Jessie Diggins, shifted focus to tactical preparation amid a challenging hilly course.
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Phill Drobnick, the longtime coach for USA Curling, is set to attend his fourth and final Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy, expressing optimism about Team USA's readiness. Meanwhile, Canadian women's skip Rachel Homan, fresh off a dominant qualification at the 2025 trials, receives advice from her first coach to relax and perform at her best. Both teams enter the Games with high expectations in the sport.