Sochi -3! the Winter Games are around the corner.

Sochi -3! the Winter Games are around the corner.

04/02/2014 14:13

Sochi -3! the Winter Games are around the corner. I believe there is nothing better for any athlete than the adrenaline and excitement to know that they are going to compete at the Olympics. We’re only THREE days away from the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi (RUS), and is getting exciting all the time more and more, well at least for me, and I’m only a witness via TV, so I cannot really imagine how the athletes might actually feel, but I presume they all feeling over the moon. Around the Olympics there is this special feeling, is like if for 15 days or so the world it stops, and people actually live in a different dimension – I hope I’m not the only one that the Olympics make it feel like this-. So far in this season we have had three different overall world cup leaders, and guess what, only one of them was an Austrian (Morgenstern). For once because the other two, are from other countries, Slovenia and Poland with Peter Prevc and Kamil Stoch. The current leader is back to be Kamil Stoch which is now leading the way with 921 pts with the talented Slovenian ski jumper Peter Prevc right behind with 908 pts. I think, - well at least for me - so far this has been one of the best season in the past few years. It started to become usual to see always the same names on top of the table or ending the season winning the crystal globe, and let’s be honest it was starting to be a bit boring, and repetitive just like to see Sara Takanashi keep winning all the races (not that she doesn’t deserve to be where she is now, because she does, it’s just the constant to know who is going to win, without any suspense). Another positive note during this 2013/14 season was the comeback of the evergreen Noriaki Kasai, third on the overall world cup table. We are now trying to make a list with the possible names that can actually aspire to win the gold in Sochi.

Gregor Schlierenzauer Photo by Kathrin Müller © Skijumpingitaly

• Gregor Schlierenzauer (AUT) at the age of 23 he has already broke all the possible records, he has won everything except the Olympic gold in the men event. This season started with ups and downs and didn’t see Gregor really giving a go at the WC probably because he do care more the OG.Chances he has to succeed 9/10

Thomas Morgenstern Photo by Kathrin Müller © Skijumpingitaly

• Thomas Morgenstern (AUT), on the contrary has won three gold’s at the Olympic, one also in the individual race on the LH back in 2006 in Pragelato (may these beautiful hills rest in peace, if no one is coming to save them and bring the WC there). The austrian was one of the candidate for the crystal globe at the end of the season but after two bad falls in two weeks, his chances have been reduced now. Still the 27 year old has managed to get fit in time to participate at this year’s Winter Games.Chances he has to succeed 7/10

Kamil Stoch Photo by Kathrin Müller © Skijumpingitaly

• Kamil Stoch (POL), the polish is the current world cup leader.

The polish ski jumper may succeed where Adam Malysz “failed”, to win a gold at the Olympics. He along Pater Prevc is the obvious favorite to win this year world cup. He won last year the gold medal at the NWSC in Val di Fiemme on the LH. Chances he has to succeed 8/10

Peter Prevc Photo by Kathrin Müller © Skijumpingitaly

• Peter Prevc (SLO) he is the one which is giving battle to Stoch for the crystal globe.

Since his debut Prevc have always shown to have a great talent, but most of all he has a good quality to stay focus on what he does. Prevc has won a silver medal at last year NWSC on the large hill (LH) and two bronze Oslo 2011 and Val di Fiemme 2013 Chances he has to win 7.5/10 These are instead my five underdogs for the gold medal.

Simon Ammann Photo by Kathrin Müller © Skijumpingitaly ° Simon Ammann (SUI) ° Noriaki Kasai (JAP) ° Anssi Koivuranta (FIN) ° Anders Bardal (NOR) ° Anders Jacobsen (NOR) Possible podium on the LH: ° Stoch ° Schlierenzauer ° Prevc My ideal podium on the LH: ° Ammann ° Kasai ° Stoch Team event possible podium: ° Slovenia ° Poland ° Austria

But this year Olympics will be very special also for another reason, it will mark also the entrance of the ladies ski jumping at the winter games. The ladies have (amongst all Lindsey Van) fought hard their way to the Olympics, they have been denied the chance to participate in 2010, with IOC agreeing that if the ladies movement would have grown enough they would have take part to this year Olympics.

So it was, in fact the ladies ski jumping in growing each season more and more, sure it’s still not at the same men’s level yet, but when you find yourself stuck on TV or in front your laptop to watch what these girls are capable of you, then you get that this sport is unique despite who is practicing, either is a man or a woman.

To name the favorite for the gold is way too easy, Sara Takanashi this young girl is the version of Gregor Schlierenzauer, she keeps breaking records. She is just 17 year old, but she has already a huge palmarès. 1 gold medal on the NH in Val di Fiemme and 1 gold in the mixed team in Val di Fiemme

5 gold medals at the juniors world championships (individual and team in 2012, individual in 2013, and individual and team events in 2014 in Val di Fiemme). Winner of last year world cup, with 34 podiums (32 individual) 19 victories (18 individual). Big numbers for a tiny little girl.

No one can actually beat the japanese except maybe for the other Sarah (Hendrickson). Tom Hilde’s girlfriend is probably the only one who can give battle to the japanese, even if we have to say, that it won’t be easy for the 19 year old American either. After last year bad fall she suffered in Holmenkollen, Sarah didn’t took part so far at any of the world cup events. So her chances for a gold medal are a bit restricted at the moment. Possible ladies podium:

• Takanashi

• Iraschko-Stolz

• Avvakumova

​ Consuelo Conte [@KokkaMufc]

You can follow us on our Facebook page as well as on Twitter! But since we know you also like taking a look at the various photos we started also an Instagram account, so don’t miss your chance to stay up to date with us! On another note, we would like to remind to all the fans that from this summer and winter season we will have contests where you have the chance to win flyers signed by your favorite ski jumper, we started with #GregorSchlierenzauer#TomHilde#JernejDamjan and plenty more, so always keep an eye, you might be the next winner!