COC: Kristjan Ilves wins in Eisenerz

Estonia’s Kristian Ilves has claimed another victory in the first Continental Cup event in Eisenerz, Austria. Ilves finished a clear 14.9 seconds ahead of local hero Bernhard Flaschberger. Poland’s Adam Cieslar took the third position, +22.8 behind Ilves.

Ilves had laid the foundation for his success already in the jumping event. He also topped this result list with a jump of 106 metres (130.5 p.). Austrian Christian Deuschl jumped the same distance but with a point total of 128.5 points, he left the start line with a delay of eight seconds. Adam Cieslar already held the third position after the jumping event. He jumped 105 metres which meant a time disadvantage of 14 seconds. Norwegian Thomas Kjelbotn was fourth (104.5 metres) and started 20 seconds behind the leader.

In the race, Ilves did not let anybody take his lead away. The tenth fastest time was enough to keep all pursuers at bay, even though Austrian Bernhard Flaschberger came charging from behind. Flaschberger started with a delay of one minute and 24 seconds and was the second-fastest man out nn the track, overtaking all athletes including Cieslar on the way to the silver rank. Only Ilves remained unscathed, skiing an undisputed victory into the finish. Tomaz Druml had to be satisfied with the fourth position, David Welde was fifth and Italian Armin Bauer had the fastest time on skis (23:21.1), catapulting him from intermediate position 42 to the final sixth place.

The Top Ten were completed by Thomas Kjelbotn on seven, Pawel Slowiok, Mika Vermeulen and Ben Loomis.