Sara Takanashi defends title at Junior Worlds
Three days after the official opening ceremony of the Junior World Championships it got serious for the ladies in Liberec for the first time. In an exciting competition, Japanese Sara Takanashi defended her title from last year and crowned herself Junior World Champion. Evelyn Insam from Italy and Katja Pozun from Slovenia took the silver and bronze medal.
With light snowfall, but still under very good and fair conditions the ladies competed for the first time at this year's Junior World Championships. Already on the previous days it became clear that the athletes who are successful in the World Cup would also be among the favorites in Liberec. Sara Takanashi from Japan, who was always jumping on the highest level these days, was unbeatable today. With the longest jumps in both rounds (98.5 m and 102 m) and 269 points it was a clear win for the Japanese who could defend the title she won in Erzurum last year. "It's a great feeling to repeat last year's victory. All my jumps here in Liberec were good and now I'm really very happy about the gold medal", the Junior World Champion said.
It was obvious that also Italian Evelyn Insam was very happy about her second place and the silver medal. "It was a great and exciting competition. I'm absolutely satisfied with my performance and I hope that I can continue jumping on this level", the Italian said who was considered one of the top favorites after her strong performance in the official training. With jumps on 96.5 m and 100 m (259.5 points) she could defend the second position after the first round also in the final.
The good performances of the Slovenian team in the World Cup and also in the days of Liberec were rewarded with a podium finish today. Katja Pozun, with 94.5 m fourth after the first round, moved up to the podium with a strong jump of 99 m in the final round (253.5 points). "I'm totally satisfied and happy right now. This are my last Junior World Championships, so this third place means a lot to me", Pozun said.
Impressive team performance of Slovenia
Besides Pozun also her Slovenian teammates proved their good shape. Ursa Bogataj came in fifth, Spela Rogelj seventh and Ema Klinec ninth, so three more Slovenian jumpers were among the Top 10. The team of coach Primoz Peterka is, not only because of this performance, now among the top contenders for gold in the team competition.
Sarah Hendrickson: Disappointed favorite
The day ended with a disappointment for one of the top favorites for the JWSC title. After great performances in the training rounds, US American Sarah Hendrickson could not achieve a podium result. With only 89 m in the first round she could not keep up with the other competitors and was only sixth. Her 97 m in the second round were a big improvement but she was not able to move up in the results and finished sixth.
The local heroes of the Czech Republic can be happy about a good performance of Michaela Dolezelova, who finished on a good eighth place. French Coline Mattel, who was hoping for a Top 3 result and closely missed the podium as fourth, and her teammate Lea Lemare were also in the Top 10. After Carina Vogt won the bronze medal in Erzurum last year, Katharina Althaus was the best German athlete today and ranked eleventh.
Impressions of the JWSC in Liberec »