It has been exactly 235 days since the legendary World Cup final in Planica. 235 days to reflect on what was probably the most spectacular final in history of the World Cup.

Since 235 days, Severin Freund can call himself overall World Cup champion. For 235 days Peter Prevc, who scored the same amount of points, is now second. 235 days since the Norwegians missed the Nation's Cup title, only 37 points behind Germany.

All that will be history seven days from now. Then the 2015/16 Ski Jumping World Cup season will kick off in Klingenthal. Champion Severin Freund will be the hunted. What's already obvious is, that in the 121 days from the qualification for the World Cup opening in Klingenthal and the big final in Planica there will be no time to take a breather.

No time to take a breather

31 individual competitions and six team competitions will be held, and in addition there's the Ski Flying World Championships. Statistically there will be a competition every three days.

The excitement before the first jumps in the Vogtland Arena is huge. The top athletes didn't compete much in summer, others impressed instead. First and foremost Kento Sakuyama, who surpassingly flew to overall victory in the FIS Grand Prix. If he can follow up on this success in winter remains to be seen. Dawid Kubacki also gained some attention and will definitely want to close the gap to his teammate Kamil Stoch.

Robert Kranjec finally had reason to celebrate again and for now he is one step ahead in the duel of the veterans in the Slovenian with Jernej Damjan.

Kenneth Gangnes has established himself in the Norwegian team and it seems that he secured his spot in the World Cup.

Freund in strong shape already

But probably others will be providing the headlines in winter. In his few appearances in the Grand Prix and especially in the German nationals, Severin Freund presented himself in a fantastic shape. And the World Champion will definitely not lack the self confidence.

Peter Prevc will definitely be extremely fired up. Despite all the statements that were made: The final in Planica will have left its mark on the Slovene and his level of motivation will reach unknown heights. With Jurij Tepes the Slovenes have at least one other top contender in the race and with the youngest of the Prevc brothers, Domen, a super talent will get the chance to gain his first World Cup experiences in Klingenthal.

Stefan Kraft, third last season, will not give up his top position within the Austrian team without a fight. Also after Gregor Schlierenzauer brought back memories of his golden days with his win in the Grand Prix in Hinzenbach and is more than just an insider's tip for the upcoming winter.

Young Norwegians aim to attack the top

It remains to be seen if one of the young Norwegians will be able to fight for the top in the overall World Cup. Velta, Fannemel, Tande, Forfang, Stjernen and Gangnes are capable of achieving podium results in all competitions and will be hard to beat in team events.

It will be exciting to see what the Japanese team can achieve. Noriaki Kasai is still irreplaceable. But behind the 43-year-old, Taku Takeuchi, Sakuyama and Daiki Ito are preparing the generation change.

The Polish team will be dominated by Kamil Stoch also during the next winter. Dawid Kubacki and Piotr Zyla can also achieve top results. It will be interesting, when and if former Junior World Champion Jakub Wolny will recover from his knee injury and can return back to his old strength.

Ammann wants the perfect jump

And then there is - of course - Simon Ammann. The Swiss is careful before the season starts and already warned off too high expectations. The 34-year-old is still looking for the perfect jump and will definitely want to show that at the 4-HIlls-Tournament. If he would really be able to succeed between Oberstdorf and Bischofshofen in his 18th year in the World Cup, there would probably be no other jumper, who would not be happy for him.

Three hot weeks

Speaking of the 4-Hills-Tournament: It will start in 45 days. 17 days after the qualification in Oberstdorf the athletes will already have to jump in the qualification for the Ski Flying World Championships on the Kulm-hill. Between the 4-Hills spectacle and the World Championships, the World Cup will make a quick stop for the events in Willingen. These three weeks will probably the most exciting time of the upcoming winter.

A winter, during which new heroes will be sought in 121 days. And that will definitely provide enough stories to look back on for the rest of the year.

Source: fis-ski.com