Frenzel eases to Nordic combined WCup win in Trondheim

TRONDHEIM, Norway (AP) Germany's Eric Frenzel extended his lead at the top of the Nordic combined World Cup standings after winning Wednesday's event in Trondheim.

The reigning overall world champion started the 10-kilometer cross-country race 27 seconds behind Akito Watabe of Japan after the ski jumping.

Frenzel caught Watabe by the four-kilometer point and stayed close behind before passing him with three kilometers left and easing away to win 15.9 seconds ahead of his rival.

Watabe has finished second to Frenzel four times this season and he conceded after the race that the German was a tough opponent.

''I don't know how to beat Eric at the moment, but I'm pretty satisfied today because I was skiing quite badly yesterday,'' Watabe said.

''I'm still struggling to improve my cross-country part but I'm really jumping good, I'm still continuing to make the podium.''

The winner of Tuesday's race, Joergen Graabak of Norway, finished third, 57.8 seconds behind Frenzel.

It was 27-year-old Frenzel's sixth win of the season as he bids to become overall champion for the fourth time in a row.

He's now 147 points ahead of Watabe and 262 points in front of third-place Fabian Riessle, also of Germany.

There is a nine-day break before the next event in Lahti, Finland.