NORDIC COMBINED Preview: Season concludes in Schonach, with Riiber the star

Japan's Akito Watabe, celebrating his win in the Seefeld Triple in 2018 (Granada via Wikimedia Commons)

The final two competitions of the 2018-19 World Cup season come this weekend in Schonach (GER), with Gundersen-style events off a 106 m hill and a 10 km race on Saturday and 15 km on Sunday.

The seasonal title belongs to Norway’s surprise star, Jarl Magnus Riiber, who won 11 of the first 19 competitions and has clinched the crown:

1. 1,358 Jarl Magnus Riiber (NOR)
2. 819 Akito Watabe (JPN)
3. 787 Franz-Joseph Rehrl (AUT)
4. 761 Johannes Rydzek (GER)
5. 753 Vinzenz Geiger (GER)

There are five athletes vying for second place, but Watabe – last season’s champ – has the edge and has been competing well. Plus, he won both events last season in Schonach … beating Riiber in both!

Look for results here.