Andi Kofler wins the qualification in Sapporo

Andi Kofler wins the qualification in Sapporo

28/01/2014 11:46

Andreas Kofler-Photo credits Kathrin Müller © Skijumpingitaly

The Okurayama hill in Sapporo hosted a qualification for the World cup competition and the victory belongs to Andreas Kofler – he reached 130,5 meters and this jump makes him one of the favorites.

The second one was Tomas Naglic from Slovenia (he also jumped 130,5m), third place is occupied by German Danny Queck (126m).

The fourth jumper was Antonin Hajek from the Czech Republic and his jump, 126,5 meters long, makes him the best Czech jumper – but don’t forget about last year’s winner Jan Matura (he jumped only 118 meters as a pre-qualified jumper). The rising Norwegian talent Robert Johansson (131m) was fifth. Simon Ammann is absent in Sapporo, so Gregor Deschwanden’s 126,5m makes him the best Swiss.

The current situation is clear – it is the pre-Olympic time, so the best jumpers train in Europe and Sapporo is usually a place where the stars are absent. Young athletes or average jumpers have a chance to win the World Cup race, or just to start at the first round. This challenge can be taken for example by Simen Key Grimsrud (Norway), Robert Hrgota (Slovenia), Nico Polychronidis (Greece), Siim-Tanel Sammelselg (Estonia), Sorin Iulian Pitea (Romania) or Joachim Hauer (Norway).

Jiri Jindra