Sarah Hendrickson becomes World-Champion!

Sarah Hendrickson becomes World-Champion!

22/02/2013 21:57

18-year old Sarah Hendrickson gets the gold medal in the ladies individual competition from the HS106 in Val di Fiemme with jumps of 106 and 103m (253.7points)! Her rivals Sara Takanashi, who was the hot favorite because of her results in the official training sessions, and Jacqueline Seifriedsberger, who is holding up the flag as the best Austrian jumper, received silver (104.5/103m; 251points) and bronze (104/98.5m; 237.2points). It was a tight fight between Hendrickson and Takanashi, who have been on the same places after the first round with a gap of 3.3points. Takanashi came a bit closer in the finals but the gap between her and Seifriedsberger has been distinctive.

Coline Mattel, France most remarkable female ski-jumper took the fourth place after performing 102 and 95.5m (229.5points). Carina Vogt from Germany has been showing amazing results in this current World-Cup season and fought herself to the fifth rank (225.4points), leaving Jessica Jerome (USA) shortly behind (224.9points).Best Norwegian lady has been Anette Sagen (213.3points; 7th), who was able to overtake Evelyn Insam, who already became second in the Juniors World-Championships in Liberec (210.5points; 8th). Surprise of the day has been youngster Chiara Hölzl from Austria. She’s only 15 old and was able to land on place nine. The top ten was completed by Finn Julia Kykkänen, who was forced to take a short time of absence after breaking her collar bone and seems now to be back with full power. Ulrike Gräßler from VSC Klingenthal, who recently had problems finding her form in the World-Cup, was able to keep up with the elite on rank eleven. Italy’s Elena Runggaldier followed on the twelfth place, while shooting star Spela Rogelj from Slovenia came in behind her. Also Irina Avvakumova and Atsuko Tanaka can be really satisfied with their performances. Russian Avvakumova got the best result of her career and Tanaka could show the best result for Canada.

But while some might be totally happy about the ranking for some this day was rather disappointing. Those are for example Katja Pozun (18th), Svenja Würth (21st) and Maren Lundby (25th). Roberta D’Agostina unfortunately didn’t reach the final round but our youngest star Manuela Malsiner did and reach the 29th place. Also Line Jahr, Abby Hughes and Alexandra Pretorius had to leave the competition after the first round.

Nevertheless, SkiJumpingItaly congrats the medal winners and crosses fingers for the upcoming events. Tomorrow (SA) at 17.00 will see the men’s individual on the HS106, followed by the mixed team-event on Sunday 17.00. While the ladies will be done then, the men will absolve the next individual race. This time it will be from the HS134 on Thursday 17.00. The ending will be given with the team event for the boys on Saturday, March 2nd at 16.30. So don’t forget to turn on your tv and come back her for pictures and news!

• By Peggy Kierstan (@pikayartist)