Unbeatable Sara Takanashi on the podium again: As the winner in Ramsau

Unbeatable Sara Takanashi on the podium again: As the winner in Ramsau

It was a totally tensing fight in Ramsau am Dachstein between the US ladies, the Austrian and the Slovenian team, Coline Mattel and small Sara Takanashi, who is a really big one in ski-jumping.

Her jumps of 86.5m and 91.5m brought her a 241point- victory with an advantage of 2.4points ahead of the leader after the first round: 17-year old Coline Mattel from Les Contamines Montjoie, France (86.5m/93m; 238.6points). Third in row was Daniela Iraschko, the experienced Austrian with her tries of 84 and incredible 94m (235.5points). Lindsey Van, who has been on the podium twice during the last WC season missed it by 4.4points today and finished fourth (84.5/89.5m). She was followed by team mates Jessica Jerome (87m each) on rank five and Sarah Hendrickson on seven (85/86.5m). Jacqueline Seifriedsberger jumped between them with 84 and 90.5m. The Austrian girl, who was amazing during the training in Ramsau just tried too much and was thrown back by this. Best Norwegian has been Anette Sagen on the eighth place (223.8points). Although lots of Slovenian ladies have been among the best fifteen after the first round, only Anja Tepeš managed to land in the top ten with 84.5 and 86m (ninth). Carina Vogt from Germany closed with the tenth place. The Americans Abby Hughes (23) and Alissa Johnson, who won the qualification the day before followed closely.

Evelyn Insam was the first girl to jump 90m but fell after her landing, which through her back to rank 21 after the first round. She was able to improve her result by four places. We know she could have been among the best with such a jump and hope she will show this the next time!

Line Jahr won six places and finished right behind Insam. Wendy Vuik was able to climb five ranks and ended up on the 21st place.

Not in second round has been Roberta D’Agostina, who missed the final by only 0.3points behind lucky Katharina Althaus, who could improve and ended up on rank 28. The Italian girl was joined by Ulrike Grässler, Maren Lundby and Alexandra Pretorius.

They will get another chance in Schonach January 5th and 6th.

A look at the overall ranking shows an increasing advantage for Sara Takanashi (340points) ahead of Coline Mattel (266). Sarah Hendrickson (252points) fell back on rank three. In the Nations Cup standing the USA is still leading with 651points. Japan is on the second place with 596points and followed by Norway. Austria is on the fifth place behind Slovenia.

We say good-bye to the ladies for 2012 and take a look at the men’s competitions in Engelberg, Switerzerland and the COC men in Lahti, which follow this weekend.

• By Peggy Kierstan (@pikayartist)