Gregor Schlierenzauer took over the world record with his 47th victory! – Jan Matura became third

Gregor Schlierenzauer took over the world record with his 47th victory! – Jan Matura became third

03/02/2013 13:43

It was a sunny morning in Harrachov and so was the mood of the competitors. Although the first round already started at 9.00 in the morning everyone was well prepared and ready to give a good show to the about 5000 spectators, who found their way to the hill so early.

Gregor Schlierenzauer was unbeatable. He was already leading after the first round by showing 193.5m, although this was 3.5m less than his most dangerous rival Robert Kranjec -the reigning Ski-flying World-Champion- showed. Kranjec was fighting back with 204m in the second round (421.4poionts) but Gregor Schlierenzauer countered with 211m and won with an advantage of 0.3points (421.7points). Andreas Stjernen, who has been third after his first try of 200m, lost his place on the podium and became fourth in the end (206.5/187m; 381.3points). Local hero and high-flyer Jan Matura on the other hand had a great try of 206.5m and secured himself the third place of today with 183.5m in the final round- climbing up from place ten (389.1points).

While the crowd was happy to have their own man on the podium, the Slovenian fans will be really excited about their athlete Jurij Tepeš, who jumped fantastic 220m, which is 5.5m better than the old hill record of 214.5m by Thomas Morgenstern. Unfortunately he couldn’t stand his jump and fell shortly after touching the ground but this couldn’t belittle his joy about this. He inherited the 15th place today while his mate Peter Prevc gained the fifth place with flights of 191 and 194m (380.4points). He was followed by Friday’s qualification winner Jaka Hvala (202/185m; 372.5points). Best German has been Michael Neumayer on place seven (183.5/187.5m; 370.9points). He had to share his place with Austrian Wolfgang Loitzl, who set an amazing 212m-flight in the first round and managed 180m in his second try. The only Polish jumper in the top ten has been Kamil Stoch on rank nine (181.5/187m; 369.3points). His colleague Krzysztof Mietus has been amazing with 197.5m as his first performance (as long as Czech newcomer Cestmir Kozisek could show then) but lost place and finished 14th. Kozisek, who definitely loves to jump here, has been on the 13th rank. Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes, who has been leading for a long while in the first round with his 205m has had bad luck in the final and fell back on place 19.

Rune Velta, this season’s second best Norwegian flyer, has been disqualified. However his teammates Fannemel (12th), Bjerkeengen (24th) and Elverum Sorsell (28th) made it into the final round. Ole Marius Ingvaldsen, Andreas Wank and Gregor Deschwanden have been less lucky. They will have another chance this afternoon.

And finally to mention is Sebastian Colloredo, who has been among the top ten quite a while in the first round with 193.5m. He jumped on place 18 in the end.

Voices of this morning in Harrachov:

A widely smiling Jan Matura stated after leaving the podium: “I’m happy that I jumped so nice here at home. The people were great.”

Also Robert Kranjec had a fantastic time this morning, as he stated, the competition was really long but he is happy about his result and congrats Schlierenzauer to his 47th victory.

Gregor Schlierenzauer was really felicitous. He said: “Unbelievable. It’s really amazing. It’s cool to be a legend with 23 years. The last years were really nice and really successful for me. There are many helpers and guys, who work with me behind the scene and I have also to say thank you [to them]. Today the competition was really difficult, especially the first round was really windy but the jury did a good job. At the end it was very, very close but I was the lucky one today.

We will leave you for now with a final sentence by Gregor Schlierenzauer: “I’m definitely really happy and satisfied and hopefully we have another great competition today and I’m looking forward –also to some meal now (smiles).”

The next competition in Harrachov will start at 14.00! Don’t miss to cheer for this morning’s winners and all your favorites.

• By Peggy Kierstan (@pikayartist)