Sara Takanashi also won the second home competition of the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup Ladies in Sapporo. The 19-year-old could stay ahead of the two Austrians Daniela Iraschko-Stolz and Jaqueline Seifriedsberger with jumps of 97,0 and 94,0 metres and 257,8 points.
Takanashi: ”I am really relieved, that I could deliver this performance here to win this competition. Now I am looking forward to the renewed jumping hill in Zao already.”
Iraschko-Stolz, who was second on Saturday, finished with 99,5 and 92,0 metres and 241,4 points. The overall World Cup winner: ”I am really satisfied with my performance. My jumps are improving, even though they are still not perfect. A great competition with a lot of spectators. A big thank you to the Japanese Association for organizing these World Cups.”
Jaqueline Seifriedsberger, who could finish on the podium for the first time in three years, jumped to 95,0 and 90,0 metres and 231,9 points. The Austrian: ”Of course I am happy to be on the podium again after such a long time. The atmosphere here in the stadium was really great.” Austria´s Chiara Hölzl could round off a strong team performance with 89,0 and 92,0 metres and 223,7 points, finishing in fourth place. Julia Clair celebrated the best result of her season so far, with to jumps of 89,5 metres and 220,4 points and place five. Katherina Althaus was best German with 213,2 points, finishing sixth. World Champion Carina Vogt did not compete, after her fall the day before. Nita Eglund could improve in the final round from place 20 to 7 and finished in the top ten for the first time of her season. She was followed by Spela Rogelj by only one tenth point in place eight. Her team mate Ema Klinec had to accept place nine and 208,7 points, after being second the day before.
Maren Lundby completed the top ten with 207,3 points. Irina Avvakumova finished 12th and followed the second best Japanese Yuki Ito. The were followed by Ursa Bogataj, Julia Kykkänen and Eva Pinkelnig in the places 13 to 15. Elena Runggaldier was best Italian with finishing 19th and Canada´s Taylor Henrich jumped to place 20. Abby Hughes could secure points for the USA as 27th and Romania´s Daniela Haralambie got one point for finishing 30th.
Sara Takanashi could expand her lead in the overall World Cup standing with 480 points and stays ahead, with 161 points lead, of defending Champion Daniela Iraschko-Stolz. Chiara Hölzl could improve to 225 points and the third position.
Austria is still continuing to lead the Nation´s Cup ahead of Japan, followed by Slovenia, who overtook Germany to place three.
The next competitions start Friday and Saturday in Zao (JPN).
Source: fis-ski.com
