SKI JUMPING. It was the day of comebacks in Predazzo. Some of the athletes who didn't take the long trip to Japan presented themselves in a great shape in Val di Fiemme.

The victory went to Martin Koch. With 130 m (136.2 points) the Austrian gave the right answer to rumors about his possible career end in his home country. Koch is back again - maybe with his best jump this season so far.

Norwegian Vegard Haukoe Sklett, who continues on his way to the world class, finished second. He is really one of the shooting stars of the season and jumped on 129.5 m worth 134.5 points. Lukas Hlava of the Czech Republic was third (132.9 points), followed by the best Slovene Peter Prevc (132.0 points), who brought his good shape from Japan to Italy.

Happonen and Ammann on track

Also Janne Happonen made a good comeback. The Finn was fifth, ahead of Swiss Simon Ammann. Also Ammann and Happonen did not take part in Japan.

Bjoern Einar Romoeren also returned to the World Cup with a good performance and used the break well. He showed a good jump in the qualification, was in the lead for a while and came in eleventh.

Schlierenzauer top favorite

Gregor Schlierenzauer showed the best performance of the pre-qualified athletes. He was already very strong in the training, in the qualification he then showed the longest jump on 134.5 m - by far the best. And he was also not in Japan and is yet another example for the top comebacks this Friday. Young German Richard Freitag proved that he is still in a good shape, just like Anders Bardal of Norway. They were the only jumpers who could keep up with Schlierenzauer.

Also the Russian jumpers, who were not participating in Japan to recharge their batteries at home, returned to the World Cup in Italy. They were not among the best.

Robert Kranjec did not jump today, the Slovene is pre-qualified and will arrive in Predazzo just for the competition.

FISskijumping.com
03.02.2012 19:11

  Tweet