Faster, higher, longer - Ski Flying World Championships in Planica
Dec 08, 2020·Ski Jumping
First major highlight this winter for the ski jumpers: It's time for the Ski Flying World Championships in Planica (SLO). The hill record on the Letalnica Ski Flying hill in Planica is held by Ryoyu Kobayashi with amazing 252 m, Markus Eisenbichler is the top favorite.
The first huge Ski Jumping highlight this season starts with the qualification on Thursday. The World Champion will be crowned after a total of four competition rounds on Friday and Saturday, followed by the team event on Sunday with four athletes per nation.
The World Championships were originally scheduled for March 2020 but had to be postponed due to Covid-19, now it's finally time.
The big unknown: The conditions in December
In March, when the World Cup final is usually held in Planica, there's a slight headwind in the morning, that's why the competitions are usually held in the a.m., mostly in bright sunshine. In December the conditions will be different in Planica, the "valley of the hills". Nobody really knows how these conditions will affect the flights.
Spectacular: Floodlight
The qualification and the competitions will start at 4 pm CET, it will be a so-called night event. Temporary floodlights were installed at the hill, the athletes need perfect light and vision for their jumps.
Markus Eisenbichler is the top favorite
Markus Eisenbichler, currently second in the overall World Cup, might have the best chance to win the title of the Ski Flying World Champion. Eisenbichler loves Ski Flying and he loves the Letalnica hill in Planica. His strongest opponent this winter, Norway's Halvor Egner Granerud, doesn't like the hill in Planica. "I don't really like this hill, it doesn't suit me", this winter's rising star, who won the last three World Cup competitions, explained last Sunday.
There are about 10 potential winners, the top contender in Markus Eisenbichler. Norway's Robert Johansson also has to be reckoned with. He presented himself in top shape last weekend in Nizhny Tagil right in time for Planica. Kamil Stoch and Dawid Kubacki of Poland are also among the top favorites. The defending champion is Daniel Andre Tande of Norway. Karl Geiger will be competing again after his short break last weekend.
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