Riessle holds off Frenzel to keep World Cup lead

Frenzel had topped the podium on Saturday, with Riessle back in fifth, to close the gap at the top but the leader bounced back in France to claim gold on Sunday.

Riessle was in fourth place after the jump, with Norwegian Jarl Magnus Riiber at the head of the field and Frenzel in third, but eventually showed his class on skis.

The 25-year-old finished in a total time of 21:20.05, Frenzel 2.3 seconds back and Japan's Akito Watabe a further 1.8 away in third. Riiber eventually crossed the line in seventh place.

And that is the same order of the top three in the World Cup standings, Riessle with 394 points to his name, Frenzel 371 and Watabe 314. There are four Norwegians in the next five spots, including Riiber in seventh.

"It was a difficult race," said Riessle afterwards. "Eric was strong and I knew I had to win the race to stay as the overall leader. It will be hard to keep resisting him."

© Sportsbeat 2016