Austria celebrates first win in mixed team competition
The Austrians simply had the best mix. Jacqueline Seifriedsberger and Daniela Iraschko are top anyway, and Gregor Schlierenzauer took part in his first competition this summer. Because also Michael Hayboeck was jumping well the victory was never in danger and well deserved. With a total of 1026.9 points the Austrian team won the first mixed competition in Germany.
"It was a beautiful day and for me it was the first time to compete in a mixed team event. It was really a lot of fun", Schlierenzauer said after his premiere. And also his teammate Daniela Iraschko was satisfied with the day: "The good thing about summer ski jumping is that competitions can be held under this beautiful weather. The audience was great."
The Japanese team is having a great summer. After they won the premiere of this format in Courchevel the finished second in the Black Forest. Sara Takanashi and Kaori Iwabuchi were extremely strong, Yuta Watase and Reruhi Shimizu completed the very good performance: Second place with 1000.8 points, a success. "Our team showed very good jumps today and everybody is really happy with the result", said youngster Shimizu.
Canada on a great fourth place
The Germans stood on the podium again. This time Carina Vogt, Ulrike Graessler, Richard Freitag and Andreas Wank came in third (967.2 points). Best of the team was Andreas Wank, who is in a great shape this summer and happy about the new format: "The mixed team events are very interesting. It's fun, it's new and it creates a relaxed atmosphere. And it's another chance to win a medal at a major event."
Canada came in fourth, followed by Slovenia, France, Norway and the United States. The differences between the teams were a lot bigger than in the close event in Courchevel. Especially the Norwegians couldn't believe their eyes: They are not used to finish behind teams like Canada or France.
Mixed competition convinces
It is in an incredibly exciting new competition format, where also new nations have a chance to achieve top results. A fourth place for Canda? Possible in the mixed competition. Also the French are within reach of the best. That makes it fun.
Teams like Canada and the USA benefit from their strong female athletes, while others like the Czech Republic can't achieve top results because the women can't keep up with the best. For example, Poland doesn't participate in these events because they have no competitive female jumpers yet. Only nly two mixed gender team competitions were held and so far the feedback of athletes, associations and officials is very positive.
The Czech Republic, Switzerland, Italy and Russia could not qualify for the final round in Hinterzarten. Finland didn't take part.