Simon Ammann won the Four Nations Grand Prix despite only managing to finish eighth at his home event in Einseldein.

Ammann headed the overall standings going into the final round after victories in Hinterzarten (Germany), Pragelato (Italy) and Courcheval (France).

The 28-year-old could only record jumps of 115.5 metres and 104.5m in Switzerland, which saw him finish 11.2 points behind winner Bjoern Einar Romoeren.

But his nearest rival for the overall title, Poland's Adam Malysz finished a further three places back after jumps of 106m and 107m, leaving Ammann to lift the Four Nations title by 22.1 points.

Traditionally, the Grand Prix has given a good indication of the form for the upcoming season. The last four winners - Jakub Janda, Malysz, Thomas Morgenstern and Gregor Schlierenzauer - each went on to win the overall World Cup the following winter.

The Grand Prix series also piloted a proposed rule change for the 2009-10 season which requires each jumper to have the same in-run length during any given competition round.

Using a new formula, the race jury could change the length of the in-run without requiring a restart of the entire competition round despite a change in the weather.

Eurosport.com
Mon, 17 Aug 12:01:00 2009

***

Ammann wins ski jumping in Courchevel

Simon Ammann increases his lead in the 4 Nations Summer Ski Jumping World Cup after winning in Courchevel.

The Swiss jumper was the clear favourite going into the third stage of the tour and from the start was by far the strongest competitor.

The 1st round threw up its fair share of drama as a constantly changing wind direction proved problematic for the team coaches.

Hopes were dashed for Radik Zhaparov of Kazakhstan as he hit the ground after a satisfactory jump, which could have bumped him up the championship standings from 40th.

World Cup leader Simon Ammann of Switzerland lead after the 1st round with Adam Malysz of Poland in second.

The final proved as exciting with the spectators really getting into the sprit of things. Cowbells were ringing and there were screams as Emmanuel Chedal of France completed his final jump.

Chedal only managed 26th place.

Norwegian competitor Tom Hilde (4th) was named ‘Man of the Day’ after completing two very good jumps. He made up 4 places in the final.

Ammann took the victory by just two points, despite his 5 points lead going into the final. Adam Malysz of Poland held is second place with Roman Koudelka of the Czech Republic finishing in third.

In the Nations Cup Norway are leading Germany by 208 points with Slovenia very close behind.

PlanetSKI reporter Ben Clatworthy
Sunday August 16, 2009