SKI JUMPING, WORLD SKI FLYING CHAMPIONSHIPS. Somehow the standing after the first day at the skiflying World Championships looks familiar. After two rounds Simon Ammann leads in Planica ahead of Adam Malysz and Gregor Schlierenzauer. Poland's Adam Malysz (442.8 points) is only the tiny margin of 2.8 points behind the Swiss. Schlierenzauer (428.4 points), who was already behind Malysz and Ammann at the two competitions at the Olympics, is already about 20 points behind Ammann.

About 17 500 spectators got to see a great show at the end of season with many highlights. Many flights over 200 m.

The longest jump of the day was shown by Slovenia's Robert Kranjec with 223.5 mm. The the overall winner of the skiflying World Cup had good headwind and so he got points subtracted because the new rules apply at the skiflying World Championships. Kranjec is the best Slovene as sixth.

Loitzl surprises as fourth

Wolfgang Loitzl surprised as fourth (425.2 points), close behind Schlierenzauer and has good chances to win his first individual medal in skiflying. Finland's Harri Olli is fifth.

Two Norwegians Bjoern Einar Romoeren and Anders Jacobsen had good chances to win a medal after the first round, but both did not reach 200 m and are only seventh and eighth after the first day.

Zauner shows longest jump in second round

Three Austrians are ranked behind the Norwegians. Skiflying specialist Martin Koch, ahead of David Zauner and Thomas Morgenstern. Zauner dominated the second round with his jump on 223 m. So all five Austrian jumpers are in the Top 11.

Antonin Hajek is the best Czech as twelfth, Noriaki Kasai is 13th.

Germans still in the game - Farewell of Ljoekelsoey

The best German is Martin Schmitt as 18th. At least all four German jumpers reached the round of the best 30 and is still in the competition. The day did not went well for Janne Ahonen. The Finnish veteran is only 28th after the first day.

Roar Ljoekelsoey was especially honored. The Norwegian - a four-time skiflying World Champion who won also 2004 in Planica - made his farewell jump. "Ljoeken" made the last jump of his career between the first and second round. The Norwegian team and his parents welcomed him in the outrun and the fans celebrated with the father-to-be who retires from skijumping. "It's very special here in Planica. I jump in the best team of the world", Ljoekelsoey said.

The trial round on Saturday will start at 9:30 am CET, the first round will start at 10:15 am CET and then the fight for Gold, Silver and Bronze is on.

FISskijumping.com
19.03.2010 17:43