SKI JUMPING. Finally, finally the weather god showed mercy and the first competition under stable conditions could take place this winter. And the world's best ski jumpers showed the fans in Zakopane a fantastic competition.

Gregor Schlierenzauer captured the victory in front of 20 000 fanatic spectators. So the Austrian celebrated his 39th win in the World Cup in the home of the great Adam Malysz, who won the same number of events. With 300.3 points Schlierenzauer moved up from third after the first round to the top.

Schlierenzauer in the Hall of Fame

The 4-Hills-Tournament winner came in 3.5 points ahead of German Richard Freitag (296.8 points), who was already second the day before. "I was a bit late at the take-off so I didn't know what the outcome will be. But of course I'm satisfied with the result. Two times second here in Zakopane - Awesome", Freitag said after his great competition and the fourth podium result of his career.

Bardal on the podium again

The third place went to Anders Bardal (293.1 points), who was in the lead after the first round but could not defend this position. At least the Norwegian could score a few points more than the overall World Cup leader, because Anders Kofler was fourth. It was the eighth podium finish for the Norwegian, he is really in the best shape of his life.

Severin Freund was fifth and made his coach Werner Schuster happy, Peter Prevc was sixth today and achieved yet another top result after the fourth place on Friday. The Slovene seems to be on his way to the world class.

Stoch seventh - still a great party in the stadium

Kamil Stoch, yesterday's winner, didn't have a good first jump, but in the final he showed what he is capable of and moved up to seventh. Generally the atmosphere at the Wielka-Krokiew-hill was great and that proves the organizers that also after the retirement of Adam Malysz thousands of fans are coming to the hill to cheer the jumpers on. Zakopane stood the test after the career end of the Polish sports icon.

Two Finns in the Top Ten

Also Simon Ammann had reason to celebrate, he was eighth and showed two really good jumps. The Finns were happy as well: Anssi Koivuranta and Janne Happonen were in the Top 10 as ninth and tenth. The team, that came to Zakopane without Matti Hautamaeki and head coach Pekka Niemelae, showed a positive trend. Ari-Pekka Nikkola coached the jumpers in Poland.

The positive trend also continued for the young Norwegians Vegard Haukoe Sklett and Kenneth Gangnes. The finished 12th and 13th. Aleksander Zniszczol confirmed his good result from Friday witha 14th place. Best Czech was Roman Koudelka as 15th. Finally the French team scored a World Cup point. Vincent Descombes Sevoie qualified for the final.

Schlierenzauer gets closer to Kofler

Schlierenzauer got closer to Kofler in the overall World Cup ranking. With 866 points he is only about 50 points behind his fellow countryman. Bardal is third with 809 points.

FISskijumping.com
21.01.2012 18:38