Sara Takanashi won the FIS Ladies' Grand Prix in Almaty. With jumps on 97.5 m and 99 m and a total of 246.8 points, the Japense took her fourth win in the fourth competition this season and, at the same time, secured the Grand Prix overall title for the fourth time in a row. Takanashi is now undefeated for ten Grand Prix competitions in a row. The second and third place went to US American Nita Englund and Yuki Ito.

Takanashi said afterwards: "The people here in Kazakhstan are very nice and they support me. I want to thank them for that. I've been here in Almaty very often and I could train here a lot. I always knew that this hill is not easy to jump, but this time it went better. We came here early and so I could train here again. I like this hill a lot."

First podium for Englund

Englund achieved her first podium result in the Grand Prix with jumps on 99 m and 91.5 m and 223.7 points. The American said: "I don't know how many jumps I've had so far in my life. But the first jump on a new hill is always a bit nerve-wracking, but after that it's normal for us. It feels really smooth, you are not super high in the air. I enjoy it. Today I'm surprised about my result and, of course, I'm more than happy."

Two points behind, Yuki Ito was third and stood on the podium for the third time this summer with 92 m and 93.5 m. Ito told: "I'm not really satisfied, but I did my best and that was the result today."

Strong Slovenes

With Spela Rogelj, who was fourth with 96.5 m and 93.5 m and 218.1 points, Maja Vtic, fifth with 91 m and 91.5 m (217.9 points) and Katja Pozun (209.5 points) and Ursa Bogataj (208.9 points) in seventh and eighth, four Slovenes were in the Top 10. Jacqueline Seifriedsberger was sixth with 212.4 points. In the first round the Austrian posted the longest jump of the day with 100.5 m. It was also not a bad day for the Russian team. Irina Avvakumova (205.9 points) and Sofya Tikhonova (203.4 points) came in ninth and tenth.

The competition was a little disappointing for the strong Norwegian duo Maren Lundby and Line Jahr, who finished 11th and 12th. Julie Clair of France was 13th, behind Yuka Seto, Finland's Julia Kykkaenen came in 15th. Besides Juliane Seyfarth in 16th, also Luisa Goerlich could score points for Germany in 20th. This was only the second Grand Prix competition for the 16-year-old.

The second ladies' competition will be held on Sunday at 9:30 am CET.

Source: fis-ski.com