SKI JUMPING. Anders Jacobsen already dominated both training rounds of the opening event of the 61st 4-Hills-Tournament and continued his impressive streak in the qualification. With 133.5 m the  former 4-Hills-Tournament winner won the round five points ahead of Dimitry Vassiliev (130.5 m). "I'm really very satisfied with my jumps and my result", said the winner. Another Norwegian athlete, Tom Hilde, came in third after a jump on 134.5 m. “My expectation for tomorrow is to continue the way I was jumping today", told Hilde.

In front of about 8000 spectators Michael Neumayer was the best German in the qualification as eleventh and showed the longest jump with 135 m under good wind conditions. The German veteran presented himself in a really good shape until the beginning of this World Cup season. “I am in the very good form now. We have also strong team, four or five jumpers are able achieve Top 10 results. Of course I'm looking forward to the 4-Hills-Tournament now", said Neumayer.

The Austrians were strong as usual. On the first day of the 61st 4-Hills-Tournament they were lead by Gregor Schlierenzauer, who showed the longest jump of the pre-qualified athletes. The overall World Cup leader landed on 131.5 m, which earned him the highest total score. Also Wolfgang Loitzl – winner of Four-Hills-Tournament in 2009 – and Richard Freitag finished in the Top 5. Both jumped on 128.5 m. After today, Schlierenzauer and Jacobsen seem to be the top favorites for the victory in Sunday's competition.

Martin Schmitt who earned himself spot on the team with the victory in Engelberg showed a solid performance, jumping on 126 m. His younger teammates – Karl Geiger and Andreas Wellinger (118 m) – had surprisingly short jumps. Geiger was not able to qualify for Sunday’s competition, while 17-year old Wellinger came in 30th. “I am happy that I can jump here, but I hope tomorrow my performance will be better", Wellinger said after his first ever appearance at the 4-Hills-Tournament.

Saturday was not a good day for the Finnish team. Ville Larinto, Olli Muotka and Sami Niemi were not able to qualify to the competition. Thanks to a 124 m jump of Lauri Asikainen Finland will have one representative in the opening event of the 4-Hills-Tournament.

After their promising performance in the second Continental Cup competition in Engelberg both American jumpers, Peter Frenette (119.5 m) and Anders Johnson (115 m), failed to make the cut today. Heung Chul Choi of South Korea could surprisingly qualify for the competition with his jump on 121 m.

FISskijumping.com
29.12.2012 17:58