Elverum Sorsell celebrates his second COC-victory in Sapporo today!

Elverum Sorsell celebrates his second COC-victory in Sapporo today!

13/01/2013 11:05

Kim Rene Elverum Sorsell can call this weekend a really successful one. After finishing the first competition in Japan on rank 25 and the second on the eighth place, he was able to improve even more and got the first place on the podium in today’s race! This is the second victory on his account (after winning in Vikersund in 2010). His amazing jump of 136m in the first round on the HS 134 brought him a lead of 3.6points ahead of 42-year old Takanobu Okabe (134m).

Lukas Müller from SV Villach took the third place after his try of 133m. Unfortunately he couldn’t keep this place and fell back to rank eight because of a 110.5m- jump in the final round. Also Felix Schoft couldn’t stick to his fifth place (7th in the end) and Stephan Leyhe, who was sixth after 130m, even fell out of the top ten and ended up as twelfth. Miran Zupancic on the other hand was the lucky one, who could make it to the podium as third! After being fourth with 132m, he was able to set one of the best lengths in the final (251.9points).

But there have also been others, who tried hard to show a podium-worthy performance. One of them is Jan Mayländer. The 20-year old German climbed from place 16 to rank 4 (!) with incredible 129m, the second best jump in the final round. Only Ole Marius Ingvaldsen could overtake this length with 131m- by far the best improvement (23rd to 5th).

But also Hiroaki Watanabe should be mentioned: The 21-year old Japanese entered the COC in 2009 and sporadically jumped in competitions in Sapporo and Zao. His sixth place of today (129/117.5m; 237.7points) is by far the best result of his career. Also Thomas Diethart can be happy with his fourth top ten result this season. The young Austrian is finally established in the COC again after a low phase last season!

So let’s celebrate again the best of today: Congrats to Kim Rene Elverum Sorsell (136/120.5m; 25.7points) and especially to Takanobu Okabe, who missed the victory by only 2.2points (134/121m; 255.5points) and Miran Zupancic, who’s really excelling himself (132/121m; 251.9points).

They and their rivals get their next chance for a podium next weekend in Bischofshofen, Austria! Don’t forget to cross your fingers then.

• By Peggy Kierstan (@pikayartist)