SKI JUMPING WORLD CUP. It was really close at the end, but it was enough for his 36th victory in the World Cup: Gregor Schlierenzauer won the first competition this weekend in Harrachov and ended the winning streak of Andreas Kofler.

Back in the world class is definitely Daiki Ito, who was on the podium in the World Cup again for the first time since January 2010 in Sapporo. The Japanese showed a great jump on 136.5 m in the final round and with 245.8 points he missed the victory, that went to Schlierenzauer, by only one point.

Schlierenzauer speaks about "milestone"

"It's a milestone to equal the number of victories of Janne Ahonen with 36. That's something very special for me", said Schlierenzauer who was happy about his jumps and is now looking forward to the next competitions this weekend. "It was a good day for me. The competitions was difficult due to the wind conditions but I tried to concentrate on my jumps", Ito told.

Bardal in his best shape

The podium was completed by Anders Bardal, who is in the best shape of his life right now. After his second place in Lillehammer he was also on the podium in the Czech Republic. With 245.0 points the Norwegian was not far back either. Bardal has never been on the podium in two competitions in a row so far. A nice premiere for the 29-year-old who is already competing in the World Cup for ten years. "I had two good jumps and I'm very satisfied. It's great for me to be on the podium for the second time in a row."

The fourth place went to David Zauner who made a great comeback in the World Cup and is another enforcement for the strong Austrian team. Robert Kranjec from Slovenia was fifth, two great jumps on Friday will give him even more self-confidence for the next competitions.

Morassi getting better - Hlava scores for the Czech

Germany's Richard Freitag proved as sixth that he has established himself in the world class. And another athlete is obviously a candidate to do so as well: Andrea Morassi from Italy came in seventh and improved his eighth place from Lillehammer last weekend.

The "Super Weekend" with three competitions didn't begin perfectly for the Czech team. After the Roman Koudelka got injured in his fall in training on Friday, only two jumpers, Lukas Hlava and Martin Cikl, of the team of head coach David Jiroutek could qualify for the final. But Hlava showed that he is a very good and consistent athlete that the Czech can rely on. The 27-year-old achieved a career-best as fifth in Lillehammer, landed on a very good eighth place.

Stoch only 15th - but best Pole

Best of the Polish team was Kamil Stoch as 15th, followed by the best Russian Denis Kornilov (16th) and the best Finn Matti Hautamaeki (17th). For Poland and Finland these results can't be satisfying.

Some of the experienced atheltes were not among the best near the Czech-Polish border. Martin Koch was 30th, Martin Schmitt 29th and Simon Ammann 26th. There were many competitions in which one of them was on the podium. They were far away in Harrachov.

Tailwind spoiled the plans of some jumpers

Some of the athletes had no chance in spite of the wind compensation points. For example Junior World Champion Vladimir Zografski from Bulgaria (50th) or the young Pole Maciej Kot (45th). More than ten bonus points were not enough for them to reach the final.

For Andreas Kofler, who was the only winner this season until today, did not have much luck in Harrachov so far. In the qualification his jump was not stable, in the trial round he was only 49th and it also didn't go well in the competition. After his 23rd place in the first round it was already clear that there will be a new winner today. The fact that it was is roommate Schlierenzauer might make it a bit easier for Kofler, who is still in the lead of the overall World Cup ranking.

FISskijumping.com
09.12.2011 19:16