Val di Fiemme, Italy - Tom Hilde of Norway won Sunday's ski- jumping event on the big hill in Val di Fieme, beating World Cup leader Thomas Morgenstern into second place. Hilde, who also won Saturday's weather-interrupted event, secured the victory with 252.4 points thanks to jumps of 124.5 metres and 128.5m, followed by Austrian Morgenstern on 247.7 points after jumps of 128.5m and 120.5m.

Another Norwegian Anders Jacobsen claimed the final podium place with jumps of 125.0m and 123.5m for 246.3 points.

Morgenstern continues to head the overall World Cup standings with 1,070 points after 13 of 28 events. Finland's Janne Ahonen lies a distant second on 710 with Austria's Gregor Schlierenzauer third on 707 points.

Earthtimes.org
Sun, 13 Jan 2008 15:51:53 GMT

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Disastrous Fall Ends World Cup of Ski Jumping

Ski Jumping may not be something that is on everyone’s radar, but this week Val di Fiemme, Italy played home to a truly noteworthy World Championship event. With a lot of drama, a few falls and some bad weather, the event was cut short and Norway’s Tom Hilde walked away with the top honors.

Following preliminary rounds, the athletes gathered on the first day of competition in less than stellar weather conditions. Heavy rain continued to pour throughout the day turning the snow into dangerous slush.

After the first jump was finished, the judges delayed the second round hoping for a let up in the weather. Norway’s Bjoern Einar Romoeren took a devastating fall that looked to be extremely serious and the officials eventually called off the whole event.

After a few minutes on the ground, Romoeren was helped off the slopes and received a round of ovation for his efforts.

Based on the first round of competition, Norway’s Hilde won his first World Cup victory of the season after fighting off the Austrian duo of Morgenstern and Schlierenzauer, who lead the world cup rankings so far this year.

Morgenstern holds an impressive lead in the overall standings with six wins so far this season. Hilde’s unexpected victory puts him in fourth so far for the season.

By Dylan Vox
GayWired.com
14.01.2008