The FIS Grand Prix Ski Jumping continued in Hakuba (JPN) last weekend. In the two Asian competitions, host nation Japan delivered impressive team performances on both days, including victory on Saturday, whilst Slovenia took its first victory this summer on Sunday. After the veteran Noriaki Kasai was best in the first event, it was Robert Kranjec's turn in the second competition. Interestingly, jumpers from five different nations have claimed victory in the eight individual FIS GP competitions held so far.

By ranking third on both days, including setting a new hill record on Saturday, Simon Ammann of Switzerland secured his overall victory in the Grand Prix summer series with one competition remaining. With 537 points he has a lead of 140 points over Kranjec before the final competition in Klingenthal (GER) on 3rd October. He commented: "I only achieved some of my goals here in Hakuba. Whilst I did secure the overall title in the FIS Grand Prix as the first Swiss to do so, my jumps here were not good enough. There is still some work to do until the FIS World Cup begins in Kuusamo."

Seven nations have already earned the Grand Prix title in its 16 year history. Norway is the only "big" Ski Jumping nation missing from the list while Austria is the only team with four different winners. Adam Malysz (POL) holds the individual record with three overall victories.

Sunday's competition in Hakuba also put the new rules being piloted during the GP to a good test. In the first round, Japan's Ito jumped 134m, which is a few meters over the hill size. As a result, the jury reduced the inrun length for Kranjec and Ammann who received bonus points. Previously the jury would have needed to either risk the health of the top athletes or restart the entire round.

FIS news
02/09/2009

Ski Jumping fever in Korea

The men's Ski Jumping Continental Cup events provided the occasion for the opening of the new ski jumping hills in Alpensia Resort near Pyeongchang (KOR) last weekend. 12'000 enthusiastic spectators were on hand to witness victories by Stefan Hula (POL) and Hyun-Ki Kim (KOR) in the two competitions held on the normal (HS 109) and large (HS 140) hills. The complex boasts a total of five hills, ranging from HS 25 to HS 45, HS 65, HS 109 and HS 140. An impressive stadium offers seating for 10'000 people along with 5'000 standing spectators. In addition, the brand-new stadium presents an artificial waterfall.

The blockbuster success in Korea of a recent movie called "Take Off" which features ski jumpers as its heroes has given rise to real ski jumping fever in the country. Take Off is currently the third most successful cinema film in Korean history. Thanks to great atmosphere and immaculate organization the venue of Alpensia Resort provided a great showcase of its ability to host competitions at higher levels such as FIS Grand Prix or even events in the FIS World Cup.

The summer series in the men's COC in Ski Jumping will conclude in Wisla (POL) next weekend. On top of the rankings, Slovenia's Robert Kranjec enjoys a comfortable lead of 126 points over Norway's Akseli Kokkonen before the final two competitions in Poland.

FIS news
09/09/2009

FIS Grand Prix continues in Zakopane (POL)

The FIS Grand Prix in Ski Jumping continued last weekend in Zakopane (POL). The sixth individual competition saw the return of last season's dominator Gregor Schlierenzauer (AUT) whilst his teammate Wolfgang Loitzl, did not compete in the initial summer competitions.

In his first appearance this summer, Schlierenzauer not only won the qualification, but also the first competition on Saturday. He was followed by newcomer Johan Remen Evensen from Norway and to the delight of thousands of local fans, the Polish veteran Adam Malysz.

On Sunday, it was time for another Norwegian to climb to the top of the podium as Anders Jacobsen beat Schlierenzauer in a remarkable competition in rainy weather and celebrated his first victory this summer. Evensen showed the longest jump of the day with 137m and reappeared on the podium in 3rd place. Besides Evensen and Jacobsen, the entire Norwegian team did well in Zakopane, with Tom Hilde (8th) and Bjoern Einar Romoeren (9th) in the top 10 on Saturday and Hilde in 4th on Sunday.

After a successful return to competition, Schlierenzauer commented: "My jumps are not perfect yet. I will not go to Japan, but will probably compete again in Klingenthal. For me it was important to see what shape I am in after my injury and now I know that I can compete with the best again."

The FIS Grand Prix continues at the weekend with two competitions in Hakuba (JPN). Switzerland's Simon Ammann solidified his lead in the overall GP rankings with 5th and 6th place finishes in Zakopane. Before the Far East excursion, Ammann leads the standings by 123 points ahead of Adam Malysz. After Hakuba, the Grand Prix final will be held in Klingenthal (GER) on 3rd October 2009.

FIS news
25/08/2009