Sara Takanashi also won the second FIS Ski Jumping World Cup Ladies in Almaty. The Japanese, who is already named the new overall World Cup winner, jumped to 96,5 and 102,0 metres and 236,9 points. She stayed ahead of Daniela Iraschko-Stolz and Maja Vtic and could celebrate her 14^th victory this season. The Japanese commented her victory: “It´s my fifth time in Kazakhstan. I made a little mistake in my first jump, but It was ok in the final round again. That´s why it is a really good result. I love Kazakhstan and I would appreciate if we get the opportunity to come back here.”

Iraschko-Stolz, who was leading after the first round, finished in second place for the eight time this season. She jumped to 97,5 and 97,0 metres and 234,7 points. Iraschko-Stolz: “I am really enjoying my time here. The hotel is really good and I like the the jumping hill and the weather here.” The Slovene Maja Vtic finished third with jumps of 96,5 and 99,0 metres and 233,9 points. This is her seventh podium in the World Cup this winter. Vtic: “It´s the same for me, I really like Almaty and I am happy, that the competitions could take place. The weather and the organization here are amazing.” Vtic was followed by Jaqueline Seifriedsberger, by 1,2 points. Seifriedsberger had to be satisfied with the fourth place with 95,0 and 100,5 metres and 232,7 points. The Russian Irina Avvakumova jumped to 94,0 and 97,5 metres and 222,4 points and finished for the fourth time this season in the top five. Avvakumova stayed ahead of World Champion Carina Vogt by only 0,6 points. This sixth place is the sixth time, that the German finished in the top ten this winter. The US-American Nita Englund underlined her strong shape with 219,5 points and place seven. Yuki Ito, who couldn't qualify for the final round on Saturday, jumped to place eight with 216,6 points and stayed ahead of the new Junior World Champion Chiara Hölzl (216,1 points). The Norwegian Maren Lundby followed Hölzl by only 0,3 points and completed the top ten. The best French athlete was, once again, Julia Clair in place 11. Spela Rogelj was second best Slovene, finished 12^th. Elena Runggaldier, as best Italian athlete, jumped to place 14. She followed Katharina Althaus, who finished 13^th. Tara Geragthy-Moats was happy about her 15^th place and the opportunity to collect many World Cup points again. The German Luisa Goerlich followed Taylor Henrich. Goerlich finished 18th and was satisfied with the best World Cup result so far. The Finn Julia Kykkännen finished 22^nd.

Sara Takanashi (1610 points) could increase the distance to Daniela Iraschko-Stolz in the overall World Cup standing. She now stays ahead of the Austrian with 471 points advantage. Maja Vtic follows in third place, with 908 points and can not be overtaken anymore.

Only the fight for the Nation´s Cup is still open. The Austrian team is leading with 2886 points ahead of Japan  with 2565 points. In case, there will be a replacement for the cancelled competitions of Rasnov next weekend, the Slovenian team can still hope to finish second in the Nation´s Cup. The German team, third last season, will definitely not finish on the podium. It´s an unsatisfying season for Germany without a single podium and with only 1358 points in the overall ranking.

The decision, if there will be a replacement for the two individual competitions of Rasnov, will be made public on Monday. This could be in favor of Sara Takanashi. The Japanese would have the chance to improve her own records of 1720 World Cup points and also the maximum number of victories in one season (15) from the season 2013/14.

Source: fis-ski.com