50th win in the World Cup for Gregor Schlierenzauer
Gregor Schlierenzauer is in a league of his own. With his 50th win in the World cup on the ski flying hill in Planica the Austrian not only won the overall World Cup, but also the ski flying World Cup this season. 217.5 m and 213.5 m and a total of 412.2 points earned him a clear win. Slovenia's Peter Prevc and Piotr Zyla of Poland came in second and third on Friday.
On the HS 215 ski flying hill in Planica, Gregor Schlierenzauer once again proved his outstanding shape. With his tenth win this season and the fifth in Planica he now also won the ski flying World Cup, only ten days after he took this season's overall title in Kuopio.
"It's unbelievable to celebrate the 50th win here", Schlierenzauer said after the competition. "It's a very special place for me. I always enjoy being here. Achieving 50 wins is not as easy as it might look, it's hard work", he added.
For local hero Peter Prevc this second place in front of 20 000 enthusiastic fans was the best result of his career so far. Jumps on 214 m and 215.5 m earned the 20-year-old a total of 405.9 points. "It's fantastic to jump in Planica, the events here are always very special. In the second round I had really good conditions and I was able to use it", told Prevc. The great team result for Slovenia was completed by Robert Kranjec as fifth and Jurij Tepes as sixth.
The third place on Friday was the second podium result for Piotr Zyla, after he could win at the Holmenkollen on Sunday. Zyla showed some great ski flying skills with 212.5 m and 216.5 m (402.5 points). "My jumps were really, really good today, I'm totally satisfied with today's competition. It's especially nice to show such a performance here in Planica."
Impressive performance by Kasai
With 399.1 points for jumps on 202.5 m and 215.5 m, veteran Noriaki Kasai of Japan came in fourth and closely missed the podium. The 40-year-old showed an impressive performance and came in only 3.4 points behind the third place.
Jacobsen seriously injured
Best Norwegian was Andreas Stjernen. Stjernen jumped on 205 m and 205.5 m and with 375.2 points this season's best ski flyer of Norway finished seventh. Anders Bardal was the second best of the team of Alexander Stoeckl as 15th. The results were overshadowed by a serious fall of Anders Jacobsen in the second round. Jacobsen fell after the landing and suffered an ACL rupture. He will now be sidelined for a couple of months.
Best German was Severin Freund as ninth, with 194.5 m and 206.5 m he showed a good performance. But still it was a disappointing day for the German team. Only Andreas Wellinger showed a convincing performance as 19th. Michael Neumayer (31st), Karl Geiger (34th) and Richard Freitag (40th) failed to qualify for the final round.
Happy day for Kaarel Nurmsalu
With his 13th place on Friday, the 21-year-old Estonian achieved a career best and also set a new personal best with 200.5 m.