Throwing a glace at ladies ski jumping
Throwing a glance at ladies ski jumping
At The Hills isn't only your magazine about men's ski jumping but will also focus on the ladies!
Therefore let's take a look at the women's season so far:
The girls started in Lillehammer in December, where Spela Rogelj was able to succeed ahead of Daniela Irschko-Stolz and Sara Takanashi. It was the first WC victory for the 20-year old Slovenian, the 18th podium for Irschko-Stolz and the 40th for the 18-year old Japanese.
The surprise of this race was the 16-year old Russian Sofya Tikhonova, who celebrated her best WC result so far. Others nameables in the top 15 were the usual suspects Jacqueline Seifriedsberger (7th), Sarah Hendrickson (9th), Maja Vtic (12th), as well as Ulrike Grässler (14th), and Eva Pinkelnig on rank 15. The Austrian got her first WC start and proved to be right there, where she belongs. On the other hand, it was surprising to see Lea Lemare and Katja Pozun to be out of points.
After all eyes were laid on the Four-Hills-Tournament, he women's World Cup finally continued in Sapporo after a break of one month on January 10th. The first of two competitions was won by Sara Takanashi followed by Daniela Irschko-Stolz and Spela Rogelj. It seemed like they would decide about the crown of this season's World-Cup among themselves but as it turns out, that also other ladies are eager to fight for it. This time, Jacqueline Seifriedsberger (4th) and Sarah Hendrickson (5th) could improve further. Lea Lemare again could not qualify for the final round.
The next day was a big success for Olympian-gold medalist Carina Vogt, who came in as 2nd followed by 17-year old Chiara Hölzl. Sara Takanashi became the clear winner again, while Daniela Irschko-Stolz missed the podium on rank four. Close behind were Eva Pinkelnig as 5th with her best WC-result. This time, Spela Rogelj completed the top ten. Coline Mattel proved to be the best French on the 14th place, while the US youngster Nita Englund got her best WC result with the 11th place in her 6th WC-appearance. She was closely followed by Jessica Jerome. Julika Kykännen on the other hand didn't have a good start into the new year and missed to qualify for the second round in the first race but ended up as 15th in this one. Katharina Althaus finished in top ten again. Jacqueline Seifriedsberger fell back to the 24th place. Nice to mention is that US jumper Tara Geraghty-Moats from the Lebanon Outing Club got points on place 29 in the 3rd appearance of her first ever WC season!
Today, the WC continues in Zao, Japan.
Or at least: It should continue. While there was too much wind for the first competition in Zao, we hope that the ladies didn't travel for nothing. They will get their next chance tomorrow (Sunday) at 10:00 LOC, which is 2:00 CET.
The current World-Cup standing shows Sara Takanashi leading with 260 points ahead of Daniela Irschko-Stolz (210pts) and Spela Rogelj (186pts). You see, one race can change all that.
There are nine other competitions left, besides the Nordic World-Championships in Falun. Right ahead are the competitions in Oberstdorf next weekend.
By the way: We'd like to send greetings to SkiJumpingItaly's expert Lindsey Van, who is currently in Falun as coach of the US youngsters- we hope to see you back in action yourself soon!
- by Peggy Kierstan
