SKI JUMPING WORLD CUP. Thomas Morgenstern is the dominating jumper of the season - no matter how big the hills are. At the ski flying in Harrachov the 4-Hills-Tournament winner showed his class once again and won with 414.5 points ahead of his long-time rival Simon Ammann from Switzerland (404,5 points). Ammann had a great jump on 215.5 m in the first round but could not stand it. This would have been a new hill record.

Simon Amman from Switzerland soars through the air during his first round of the ski flying world cup event in Harrachov, Czech Republic, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Thomas Morgenstern from Austria soars through the air during his first round of the ski flying world cup event in Harrachov, Czech Republic, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Surprisingly and of course to the joy of the Czech fans, Roman Koudelka finished third with 401.2 points. The local hero was already extremely happy after his first jump on 208.5 m. In front of the home crowd he showed another great jump in the final with 211 m - the 21-year-old achieved the first podium result of his career. The first podium result for the Czech team this winter - and that at home. Great.

Also Morassi with adrenalin rush

Behind Koudelka were "ski flying experts" like Adam Malysz (5th), Robert Kranjec (6th) and Bjoern Einar Romoeren (8th). Wolfgang Loitzl, not known to be a very good ski flyer, surprised as fifth. Borek Sedlak completed the great result for the Czech team as tenth. The winner of Saturday's competition, Martin Koch from Austria, was ninth today. Once again Michael Neumayer was the best of the German team as eleventh. Gregor Schlierenzauer might also not be satisfied with his 13th place.

The young Italian Andrea Morassi, who could score points only three times so far this season jumped on 206.5 - a new personal best for him. He could not repeat this performance in the final and finished 21st. But still this is the best result of the season for the 22-year-old athlete of head coach Roberto Cecon.

Hautamaeki not in shape

The Finnish team is getting a problem. Ville Larinto is injured and Matti Hautamaeki is not in form in the year 2011. Head coach Pekka Niemelae does not have Top 10 jumpers anymore. Hautamaeki started the season strong with three podium results but the 29-year-old, who is normally very good in ski flying, couldn't show good performances in Harrachov. On Sunday he was 29th. The best Finn was Olli Muotka as 15th. The 22-year-old was already their best on Saturday as 18th.

Also for Anders Bardal this weekend was not a positive experience. The Norwegians was 24th on Saturday and did not qualify for the final on Sunday after he had bad luck with the conditions. The jury had a difficult job again today, they had to react often and adjust the inrun length to the changing conditions to guarantee a maximum of safety for the athletes.

First point for Sweden
 
Sweden scored the first World Cup points of the season: Fredrik Balkaasen showed in the first round that he can do well on big hills. He was 22nd after the first jump, but then he had problems with the tailwind in the final and finished 30th. But still: The first World Cup points of his career for Balkaasen.

Overall World Cup is a One-Man-Show

The good performances of the new faces continued also on Sunday: Slovene Tomaz Naglic could improve his 26th place from Saturday. The 21-year-old was 23rd and has a good chance to compete in the World Cup again. Also his teammate Jurij Tepes did a good job this weekend with the places 15 and 17.

Thomas Morgenstern, center, from Austria Simon Amman, left, from Switzerland and Roman Koudelka, right, from Czech Republic celebrate during the awarding ceremony for the ski flying world cup event in Harrachov, Czech Republic, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011. Morgenstern won the event ahead of second placed Amman and third placed Koudelka. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

The overall World Cup is becoming a One-Man-Show. Morgenstern has already scored more than 1000 points (1083 points) after about half of the season. He is now 402 points ahead of Simon Ammann (681 points).

FISskijumping.com
09.01.2011 16:10