Win for Sarah Hendrickson
After Schonach last weekend the German week in the ladies' World Cup continues in Hinterzarten now. The first of two competitions was won by US American and last season's overall World Cup winner Sarah Hendrickson, ahead of Sara Takanashi of Japan and Coline Mattel of France.
The first individual competition of the weekend in Hinterzarten in the Black Forest was held with nice winter weather and under perfect conditions. And with Sarah Hendrickson, one of the top favorites this winter was on top of the podium again for the first time since her win in Sochi in December. With a jump on 97.5 m she was second after the first round, only the tiny margin of 0.2 points behind French Coline Mattel. With 98.5 m she then showed the longest in the final and won with 243.6 points. Hendrickson was already jumping on a high level in training and after the competition she explained why she is doing so well on this hill. "I always like this hill and I like jumping here. I was already training here before the World Cup and it went really well for me."
The results of Sarah Hendrickson »
Second in today's competition was Japanese Sara Takanashi, who was absolutely satisfied with her performance: "I could show two good jumps and also a telemark in both rounds. I was a bit early at the take-off and hope that I can do even better tomorrow. The hill is definitely in a good conditions", the Japanese also praised the work of the organizers. With the longest jump of the day on 99 m in the first round she was third and moved up to second overall with her second jump on 98 m (242.4 points).
The third place went to French Coline Mattel, who experienced a similar situation than in last the last World Cup competitions. She was already in the lead after the first round three times and was then not able to defend this position. "Usually I have a strong second jump. I'm satisfied with my second one today, Sara and Sarah simply were a bit better", Mattel said after her two jumps on 97.5 m (240.4 points).
In an exciting final, in which the top five athletes were only seperated by 2.2 points, the other places in the Top 10 went to Jacqueline Seifriedsberger (AUT), Katja Pozun (SLO), Anette Sagen (NOR), Evelyn Insam (ITA), Ursa Bogataj (SLO), Carina Vogt (GER) and Alexandra Pretorius (CAN). So athletes of nine different nations were among the best ten today.
Serious fall of Daniela Iraschko
The competition was overshadowed by a serious fall of Austrian Daniela Iraschko. After great jumps in training and in the trial round she fell after the landing in the first round. "This is a shock for our small team. Now we have to wait for the diagnosis of the doctors. According to the doctors everything, except the knee, should be okay. But we have to wait for an exact diagnosis. Daniela was always conscious and responsive", said Austrian head coach Harald Rodlauer. Iraschko was taken to the hospital in Neustadt for further checks.
Takanashi remains overall leader
With her second place today, Sara Takanashi defended her lead in the overall World Cup with 560 points. Sarah Hendrickson (421 points) moved up to second, ahead of Coline Mattel (408 points).