Eric Frenzel wins Nordic Combined World Cup

LAHTI, Finland (AP) Eric Frenzel of Germany won the Nordic Combined World Cup on Friday and moved closer to a fourth consecutive overall victory.

Norwegian teenager Jarl Magnus Riiber, the winner of the ski jump, had the race in his pocket, but he used a wrong track on the last section to the finish line, and was disqualified.

Frenzel, third in the jump, finished the 10-kilometer cross-country ski race 1.7 seconds ahead of Japan's Akito Watabe. Norway's Jan Schmid was third, 32.2 seconds behind.

Frenzel extended his overall lead to 167 points ahead of Watabe.

Riiber, who earned his maiden World Cup victory on home soil in Holmenkollen two weeks ago, can name the Finnish ski metropolis of Lahti his bogey site.

He was also disqualified here last year, for a collision with an opponent in a pair sprint event.

The teenager showed glimpses of future greatness in the jump, securing first place with a jump of 127.5 meters, the longest effort. Riiber went out skiing with a 42-second edge on Frenzel, and 44 ahead of Watabe, the top two men in the overall World Cup standings.

Riiber led by 31.6 seconds halfway through the race. Frenzel and Watabe plus Jan Schmid of Norway came up besides Riiber after 8.5 kilometers, but Riiber did not wilt. He suddenly burst back in front about 20 meters into the last kilometer, and victory appeared certain.

But on the last curve, Riiber went left, and not toward the finish line, and was disqualified.

''I was quite sure that he (Riiber) will win, and then he goes the wrong way,'' Frenzel said. '''What is he doing? I thought. I know that I am on the right track, why is he on the wrong one? I was a lucky winner.

''For this, I am happy, but I hope also for a good race next time.''

The next individual Nordic Combined is on Sunday in Lahti.