Jurij Tepes repeats last year's win in Almaty
"This was a nice win today. Last year I already won here in Almaty, I just like this hill here and this win is another step forward for me. After the first round my goal was to beat the Norwegians and I was able to do that. I'm very happy with today's result", Jurij Tepes told after his jumps on 132.5 m and 132 m (256.4 points). The Slovene was third after the first round, but no other jumper could jump as well as he did in the final.
Anders Fannemel, who achieved very good results in national competitions recently, showed jumps on 134 m and 129 m today (252.9 points). He was the best in the first round and had a lead of 3.5 points ahead of his teammate Tom Hilde, who jumped on the same distance. He was able to extend this lead by one more point, but could not defeat Jurij Tepes and finished second in this competition. "My first jump was really good, in the second one I was a bit late at the take-off. I have a good feeling on this hill and so I'm satisfied the second place."
With jumps on 134 m and 129 m (248.4 points) his teammate Tom Hilde, second after the first round, lost one place in the final and came in third overall. But he was still satisfied with his result today. "For me it as a nice competition today. The hill here is great. I'm still struggling with the new suits a bit so it's hard to show two good jumps in a competition. So I'm very happy with my performance today", said the third-placed.
The spectators also witnessed two comebacks today. Martin Schmitt, who had his last World Cup competition in Garmisch-Partenkirchen on January 1 and tried to earn his spot in the A-team with good performances in the Continental Cup this summer, jumped on 128 m and 118.5 m and finished 24th.
Also Norwegian Anders Jacobsen, who started his comeback from retirement this spring, compete in the Summer Grand Prix for the first time this year. After very good result in the Continental Cup competitions he also achieved a good result in Almaty as ninth.
It was not a good day for the new hill record holder Robert Kranjec (SLO) and Piotr Zyla (POL). Both were disqualified after the second round because the length of the sleeves of their suits was not compliant to the rules.
Andreas Wank is not competing this weekend, but he still remains the overall leader of the Grand Prix. His main opponent Simon Ammann was fifth today and is still second behind the German. With his win today Jurij Tepes moved up to third, Reruhi Shimizu of Japan is now fourth.