Lillehammer: Sara Takanashi is simply unbeatable

Lillehammer: Sara Takanashi is simply unbeatable

07/12/2013 22:02

The 16-year old Japanese celebrates her eleventh World-Cup victory- (102/96.5m; 286pts) and this although the ladies World-Cup does only exist since two years. This makes her as successful as Gregor Schlierenzauer in his first two World-Cup seasons. That said, we know, we’ll see way more of this from her this season and in the future.

Surprising is the second place, which is shared between Gianina Ernst (14) from Germany (97.5/97m; 270pts) and Daniela Iraschko-Stolz (102.5/94.5m), who really can call her comeback as felicitous.

Gianina Ernst appeared in the World-Cup for the very first time today. That she can cope with this venue is clear because she already proved this in the summer COC in Lillehammer this September with a sixth and a ninth place. To be honest, this was her 17th appearance ever in ski-jumping. What a way up to the podium. I doubt that there are many jumpers, male or female, who did ever manage this.

(Gianina Ernst) An Andrea Breuer picture

Daniela Iraschko-Stolz, who had a long way to come back after her grave injury from a fall in Hinterzarten this January, proved that she still can be called one of the best female jumpers in the world. Also her team result the other day already showed this.

Carina Vogt took the fourth place with 97 and 99.5m (269.3pts). The following places went to Jacqueline Seifriedsberger (98/100.5m), Katharina Althaus (98/98m), Ema Klinec (99/93.5m), Coline Mattel, Maja Vtic and Taylor Henrich.

As seen, the trend that especially really young girls dominate the top ten is proved again with Ema Klinec, who was set for the mixed-team the other day and Canadian youngster Taylor Henrich. But also Coline Mattel is only 18 years old.

Best Norwegians have been Maren Lundby and Helena Olsson Smeby, who took the twelfth and 13th rank. Best Italian has been Elena Runggaldier (15th). She was followed by Irina Avvakumova. Team USA was presented on the 19th place by Jessica Jerome, while her teammates Abby Hughes and Alissa Johnson didn’t reach the final round. Also Atsuko Tanaka was out after her first try.

Here’s the comment of our expert Gorm Johansson:

"HELLO GUYES, HERE IS MY POST FROM YESTERDAY`S EVENT IN LILLEHAMMER:

It looked not good from the morning. it was windy again, but slowly it calmed down. The jumpers were smiling and everything looked ok..in the service and athletes-area everyone was smiling and focused. The training round was starting and everything went ok for the guys..I would also say that the quali went quite ok. For sure there have been some changes with wind - some where as always unlucky, but we are outside, then that will happen often..I think there were not that many surprises in the quali, and 50 guys have been ready for Saturday.

The girls also had one training round. The wind started to be stronger then and more challenging.

A long break after a bad fall from a 16 year old Canadian girl was not the way we wanted to see this, but it happened (what i heard is that she will stay in hospital one night, and she is not seriously injured.)

They were able to get their training, and the mixed-team event was next.

Once again this year the wind started to be a problen - and also heavy snowfall made this a big "bingocomp" once again .

But thanks to a good crew, they made two rounds.

With a bit surprising podium: Japan No1, Austria No2, Norway No3.

One happening here was not nice: Rune Velta was waiting a long time on top, with heavy snowfall and the blowers were nor ready. but worst was that he got no trialjumper..so Rune had no chance with a lot of snow in the tracks. He lost over 2km/h inrun-speed, this is not professional and should not happen.

All in all the day went as planed, and we got results.

The forecast is better for Saturday, so lets hope for that.

Gorm"

The next ladies’ World-Cup is in Hinterzarten on December 21st and 22nd. So stay tuned!

• by Peggy Kierstan (@pikayartist)