Gregor Schlierenzauer won the New Year's event in Garmisch-Partenkirchen for the second time in his career. The Austrian (277.7 points) celebrated his 27th victory and was followed by his teammate and last year's winner Wolfgang Loitzl (272.5 points) and Swiss Simon Ammann (272.4 points). This was the 175th victory for Austria in the World Cup. "It was a great day, to come back like this after Oberstdorf and my sickness. Thanks to Dr. Lotz. It was very exciting today. I saw that Simi jumped far. I wanted to make a good jump and I could do that. I'm very happy."
 
Under finally excellent weather conditions about 20 000 spectators saw a great competition. Ammann set a new hill record in the final round with 143.5 m (2.5 beyond the old mark) and stood in the way of an Austrian triple victory - the first at the 4-Hills-Tournament since 1975. Andreas Kofler, leader in the overall ranking after the second competition, finished fourth with 271.9 points.
 
Kofler half-time leader
Kofler did exactly what he had to do: Try to keep his lead from Oberstdorf. He only lost a few points to the competition. He even gained some points compared to Janne Ahonen (259.2 points), who had a very good competition again and came in sixth. But the Austrian was still not happy about his performance. "It was one good jump, and one not so good jump. So I should not be satisfied. I made a few little mistakes and that's why I'm not on the top."
 
Norwegians make amends for defeat in Oberstdorf
The fans saw a Norwegian team that did a lot better than in the last event. Three athletes, Anders Jacobsen (5th), Johan Remen Evensen (7th) and Bjoern Einar Romoeren (8th), were in the Top Ten. "I'm very happy with the result. It's okay. I had a good competition and achieved a good result. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to be on the podium", said Jacobsen. Thomas Morgenstern as ninth and Stefan Thurnbichler as tenth completed the fantastic result of the Austrian team with five jumpers in the Top Ten.
 
After Schlierenzauers victory, Sven Hannawald can relax again. His record of winning all four competitions will at least last for another year. World Champion Andreas Kuettel experienced a moment of shock, but he could avoid a fall in the first round. "That's aggravating. I was not overmotivated and everything went well. But then I wanted too much during the flight and attacked too much."
 
Things remain the same for the Finns: Harri Olli and Ahonen belong to the world class, the rest is far behind. Matti Hautamaeki missed to qualify for the best 30 and could only watch the final round. "Too bad that I could not show everything in the first round. More was possible for me, but the second jump was good. Luckily, the difference between the top jumpers is not that big. I'm looking forward to the hill in Bischofshofen, hopefully I can score a lot of points there. I'm confident," said Ahonen.
 
Austria gives other teams a hard time
The Russian team faces even more problems. Only Dimitri Vassiliev represented them in the final. The best Russian was 19th. Many team are having problems achieving good results at the moment. Also because the Austrian team is so strong and place seven jumpes in the best 22. There's just not enough room anymore for the others.
 
Four members of the German team made it to the final round, but their best, Pacal Bodmer, was only 16th. Michael Neumayer as 17th, Andreas Wank as 20th and Martin Schmitt on place 25 completed the German result. "I'm satisfied. I had two good jumps today and I can also enjoy them more now," Bodmer told. And also Schmitt sees himself on the right path. "I have not reached the maximum yet, but it has to go step by step."
 
For the Polish team it's also not going as they hoped. Adam Malysz is among the best in the world and finished eleventh, but it's not enough for the top at the moment. Kamil Stoch as 23rd was the second athlete of head coach Lukasz Kruczek in the Top 30. "The jumps were good. It's going better again for me. I still lack a little bit compared to the top world class. But if it continues to go like that for me then it's good", Malysz said.
 
Schlierenzauer gets closer in the World Cup ranking
Kofler leads in the 4-Hills-Tournament ranking with 537.1 points ahead of Loitzl (517.9 points) and Ahonen (512.5 points). Ammann (509) and Schlierenzauer (506.5) still have outside chances to win the Tournament.
 
In the overall World Cup ranking Schlierenzauer (511) got closer to Ammann (529) with his victory today. Kofler (426) is already over 100 points behind. Malysz is eighth, best German is Bodmer as tenth.

FISskijumping.com
01.01.2010 16:29