Daniela Iraschko-Stolz dominates weekend in Planica!

Daniela Iraschko-Stolz dominates weekend in Planica!

28/01/2014 11:18

Experienced Austrian ski jumper Daniela Iraschko-Stolz turned out to be the best during the weekend of the Ladies’ World Cup in Slovenian Planica. The competitions were originally scheduled in Ljubno, but because of the lack of snow they were moved to another location.

Two weeks before the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Daniela Iraschko-Stolz took her first in this season victories, proving that her shape increases day by day. In two competitons we could see the same podium - Iraschko-Stolz, popularly known as Danie, won clearly ahead of World Cup leader Sara Takanashi and Carina Vogt.

In the first competition the best among the Austrians took victory with jumps on a distances of 100 and 102,5 meters. Second place took Japanese Takanashi, who jumped 97 and 98 meters. On the lowest step of the podium stood the representative of Germany Carina Vogt with jumps on 96 and 99 meters. It was her seventh podium in this season.

From the good side showed up representatives of Slovenia. Ursa Bogataj was fourth with jumps on 91,5 and 95 meters. Her teammate Eva Logar was 6th with 91,5 and 94-meter result. The final classification of the competition Slovenes were separated by Yuki Ito, who jumped on a distance of 90 and 98 meters. Seventh position took Russian Irina Avvakumova (94 and 96m) and eighth was Coline Mattel from France (91 and 94m). The Top 10 was closed by two representatives of Norway - Maren Lundby, who jumped 88 and 95 meters and Helena Olsson Smeby who landed on 90 and 93,5 meter.

One day later Iraschko-Stolz took her second victory with jumps on 102,5 and 101,5 m. Second again was Sara Takanashi with 101,5 and 98,5-meter result and third was Carina Vogt with result of 100 and 99 meters.

Just behind the podium was classified Japanese Yuki Ito with jumps on 95,5 and 97 m. On the fifth position placed the best among the representatives of the hosts Maja Vtic, who jumped on 98,5 and 96,5 meters. Norwegian Maren Lundby was sixth (97 and 96m) and the best among French ladies Coline Mattel was seventh (98 and 95m). On the eighth and ninth position placed two other Slovenes - Ursa Bogataj (99,5 and 95m) and Katja Pozun (97 and 94 meters). The Top 10 of the competition closed Julia Clair from France with jumps on 96 and 92,5 meters.

At the press conference, according to FIS, the winner of the two competitions in Planica said: "I like the hill and the inrun here, I was pretty fast. It's Planica, there are many spectators and the crowd is loud. I like that. I'm very motivated right now, of course also because of the two wins yesterday and today. This is really good for my self-confidence. The next competitions are the highlights of the season, first Hinzenbach and then Sochi. I have to train hard over the next two or three weeks because Sara is a great jumper and very hard to beat."

On the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Sochi we will see 30 female ski jumpers from 12 countries.

Anna Sobol [@AnneAZS]