Sara Takanashi won on Sunday in Zao ahead of Carina Vogt and Bigna Windmüller.
There was strong snowfall in Zao today, and so it was totally unclear if it would be possible to hold a competition at all. The trial round was canceled and the start of the competition was delayed a little, but eventually it was possible to hold at least one competition round.
Japan’s Sara Takanashi, who is currently just a class of her own, won also this competition by jumping 98.0 meters. Second behind her came Carina Vogt from Germany with a jump of 96.0 meters. Although her jump was 2 meters shorter as Takanashi’s she was 10 points behind, as Takanashi scored bonus points for jumping with a shorter inrun. Bigna Windmüller from Switzerland came third with a jump of 91.0 meters and so celebrated her first World Cup podium.
The fourth place was shared by two Norwegians. Maren Lundby and Helena Olsson Smeby both scored 108.3 points for their jumps of 89.5 and 91.0 meters. Sixth came Julia Kykkänen from Finland with a nice jump of 90.5 meters.
Celebrating her eight season win, Takanshi has now 860 points in the overall World Cup. Vogt is second with a score of 546. Irina Avvakuova from Russia, who did not compete in Zao is still third with a score of 435 points.
The World Cup continues on the next weekend back in Europe. Two competitions will then be held in Planica.
RESULTS AND STANDINGS:
Final results of the competition »
Current overall World Cup standings »