When it goes about skiflying, we see a different Robert Kranjec. The Slovene, who has only achieved one Top Ten result so far this season, won the first skiflying competition of the winter. At the Kulm in Bad Mitterndorf the 28-year-old celebrated his second World Cup victory after the surprising win in Kuusamo 2005 with a final jump on the 200 m mark and 382.6 points. "this result surprised me, my goal was to be in the Top Ten. Now I'm very happy and I'll try to win again tomorrow", he told.

This is Robert Kranjec »

Overall World Cup leader Simon Ammann from Switzerland finished second, only 0.5 points behind the winner. After four victories in a row, Martin Koch represented the Austrian team on the podium as third (379.2 points). Koch showed the longest jump of the day with 201.5 m. "In the first two jumps it was more about fighting than showing good jumps. I'm very happy that I could do better in the competition", said Koch, who could celebrate his first podium finish of the winter. He was already on the podium in Bad Mitterndorf last year and is already the fifth Austrian who could finish in the Top 3 this season. 

Even if there were no very long jumps this year, the 30 000 spectators created a huge show at the World Cup at the Kulm. When an Austrian was about to jump they made a deafening noise. "It's awesome that the fans are coming to Bad Mitterndorf in spite of the weather conditions with a lot of snow in Austria", Hubert Neuper, head of the organizing committee told. After the hill record of Gregor Schlierenzauer (215.5 m), that was almost a danger to his health, the jury was very careful this time. "There were jumps around the hill-size so the length of the inrun was right", said Ammann and added that "it was a good competition and it gives me motivation and self-confidence for Sunday."

Hajek:s great Comeback

And so Schlierenzauer suffered a defeat. The athlete known as the best skiflyer in the world was only fifth behind the strong Czech Antonin Hajek. Schlierenzauer could not show his fans a jump over 200 m on Saturday.

Hajek, who surprisingly won the qualification, achieved the best World Cup result of his career. "I'm back. My shape is finally good again", the Czech said in good German. Hajek went through very hard times. After a fall he was even in a wheelchair for some time. At the last World Championships in Liberec he showed up at the hill limping. Now the 22-year-old is back again.

This is Antonin Hajek »

Malysz is getting better

Under increasing snowfall 4-Hills-Tournament winner Andreas Kofler finished sixth, followed by Adam Malysz, for whom the short training camp in Ramsau had a positive effect. The Pole clenched his fist after his last jump and was obviously relieved after the competition.

Best German was Michael Uhrmann as 14th, Michael Neumayer was 18th. "I was hoping for a little bit more. We didn't have a long inrun, so you have to jump perfectly if you want to reach a good distance. Even the best landed at 185 m", said Neumayer, who holds the German national record (227.5 m). Pascal Bodmer still has to wait for his first jump over 200 m. He finished 21st on Saturday.

Not a good result for the Scandinavian

Once again it was not a good day for the Finns, who are usually strong in skiflying. Harri Olli, who won two skiflying events last season, Kai Kovaljeff and Janne Happonen did not reach the final. The same applied - and that is also a surprise - for four-time skiflying World Champion Roar Ljoekelsoey and Anders Jacobsen, both from Norway. Usually the Norwegian are referred to as the best skiflyers in the world, but they can not show their full potential at the Kulm. Best athlete of head coach Mika Kojonkoski was Johan Remen Evensen as tenth, skiflying world record holder Bjoern Einar Romoeren followed as eleventh. The best of the Finnish team was Janne Ahonen as ninth.

Besides Malysz, also Lukasz Rutkowski could achieve a good result for the Polish team. Kamil Stoch was already out after the qualification. Marcin Bachleda and Stefan Hula missed to qualify for the final and could not score points.

Ammann could extend his lead in the overall World Cup ranking with his second place. He is now leading 749 points ahead of Schlierenzauer (696) and Kofler (561).

FISskijumping.com
09.01.2010 16:10

21st victory for Gottwald in Nordic Combined

His eyes shine when he talks about the days in Val di Fiemme. Felix Gottwald and the Trentino region, this is a long lasting sports friendship. Here, the Salzburg native became 2003 world champion with the Austrian team and won two additional medals. Further, he reached the respective podium five times in his career before retiring.

But the days of rest are over. Gottwald is back, and seems more motivated than ever. In Val di Fiemme, he was victorious at a site he knows all too well. "I always what I have to do here, on the last hill and the long way down to the finish line", he says - not arrogant, but rather with a veteran's wisdom.

Felix Gottwald, who will celebrated his 34th birthday on January 13th, not only won, but also dominated. The jump at about 10.30 in the morning was exceptionally well done, and the deficit of 58 seconds enabled him to start the race in a "relaxed" mood. This was clearly visible during the latter stages of the competition. After two of five laps, the Austrian had reached the leading athletes, and then left everybody behind in the final round of 2000 meters. Magnus Moan desperately tried to keep up, but proved to be inferior at that moment, as he admits. "Felix simply was slightly better than me today." However, the Norwegian was much more disappointed with his poor performance at the hill hours before. "120 meters might have been an OK result, but I nearly stumbled. This cost me points and a better starting position for the race."

Yet, Moan had the fastest time of all and came all the way from 37rd place. Eventually, he was beaten by 0.8 seconds. "One should never be displeased with a podium result", he said while adding in a more somber tone: "But I can not be totally satisfied either today."

Germany's Eric Frenzel completed the podium trio as he finished third for the fourth time this season. "I am absolutely delighted with this result. I had great equipment that enabled me to close many deficits during downhill sequences. Now it is time to practice. We will not be present in Chaux Neuve, but will return for Schonach and Seefeld."

Once again, the U.S. team delivered a strong overall performance with top ten finishes by Johnny Spillane (4th), Todd Lodwick (6th), Bill Demong (8th). Reigning World Cup leader Jason Lamy Chappuis (FRA) came in tenth. After today, his closest pursuer is Felix Gottwald, who has surpassed Tino Edelmann. Taihei Kato (JAP), leader after the jumping portion, finished 12th with the 25th-best racing time.

FISnordiccombined.com
09.01.2010 19:29