Around a thousand spectators came to the jumping hill in Pöhla to see the competition there. Everybody was making a lot of noise, weather was fine and the local marching band was playing traditional music – so there was really a wonderful atmosphere here in Pöhla.
Ski jumping legend Jens Weißflog, who has its roots in Pöhla served as patron for the event. It is already a tradition that I take that function, As I am from Pöhla it is just naturally that I do that. The competition here is established, while other locations, big sites such as Bischofshofen, are not hosting ladies competitions anymore. I hope that small hills like here are not being taken out of the calendar so fast. When we take a look at the jumpers, we see that there are many young girls, for them a smaller hill is also challenging. There is no use to anyone, when we have events with just 25 starters, Weißflog said to Ladies-Skijumping.com.
The first round of the competition was restarted after 5 jumpers, as the jury decided to shorten the inrun by one gate. During the competition wind was mostly calm, but some tailwind was there most time anyway. In the first round last years winner Magdalena Schnurr (GER) took the leading position. Melanie Faisst (GER), already strong in yesterday’s training, proved that she knows how to handle the hill here, by taking the second place. Third place after the first round was taken by Ulrike Grässler (GER) ahead of Ayumi Watase (JPN), Bigna Windmüller (SUI). Sixth place was shared by Špela Rogelj (SLO) and Ramona Straub (GER).
In the second round Schnurr and Faisst were both able to defend their positions. For Schnurr it was already the second victory in a row here in Pöhla. After the competition she said: I think it is great that I was able to win here two times in a row. I am very proud of that and hope that it continues like that in Oberwiesenthal. Also Faisst was happy about her second rank: It was the best competition, it is my first podium ever. It can go on like that.
A 62.0 m jump was enough for Watase to take over Grässler. Windmüller defended her fifth place, Straub was able to take the sixth rank alone, while Rogelj became seventh. In the Continental Cup’s overall standings Grässler is still in the lead ahead of Watase, Schnurr, Windmüller and Faisst.
Following an old tradition here in Pöhla Schnurr was given a fresh baked cake at the victory ceremony. The whole Continental Cup will move on to Oberwiesenthal, where the next events are on Friday and Saturday.
RESULTS AND STANDINGS:
The results after the 1st round »
The final results of the competition »
Current overall standings of the Ladies CoC…»