Ryoyu Kobayashi soars to victory in Planica
Mar 25, 2021·Ski Jumping
Ryoyu Kobayashi won the first Ski Flying competition 2021 in Planica on Thursday. The Japanese came in ahead of the two Germans Markus Eisenbichler and Karl Geiger. Today's competition was overshadowed by the very serious crash of Norway's Daniel Andre Tande in the trial round.
For Kobayashi, this was the 19th World Cup win, the third this winter. "I hope I can jump well here on the last days of this season, I don't know if it's possible to set a new world record here, but I'll try my best", explained the 2019 overall World Cup champion.
The second place was a great result for Markus Eisenbichler, who even thought about not competing at all in Planica following his crash at the WSC in Oberstdorf and the resulting knee problems. "I really had to think about whether I should jump here or not because of my injury, I also discussed this with the doctors and my girlfriend. I came to the conclusion that I'm feeling pretty good and that I can handle the pain. I'm really happy about the second place, that's a great result for me. Of course, I would always like to win here in Planica. But you have to be happy if you are on the podium, the other guys are strong too", said Eisenbichler, for whom today's second place was already the eighth podium this winter.
The third place went to Karl Geiger: "Planica is my favorite Ski Flying hill, I really like it here. I'm very happy that it works that well for me and that I can fight for the podium", said Geiger, who won the Ski Flying World Championship title in Planica last December.
Just like in the World Championships a few months ago, Michael Hayboeck of Austria finished fourth again today, Bor Pavlovcic was the best Slovene in fifth.
It was an extremely exciting competition on Thursday, that Ryoyu Kobayashi could win, but there was not really a celebration of the top athletes today, everyone was still in shock after the crash of the former Ski Flying World Champion Daniel Andre Tande. In the trial round, Tande lost control right after take-off, crashed on the knoll after about 99 m, and slid down the hill unconsciously.
Early evening, the doctors were able to give at least some positive news:
The first information regarding the injuries was communicated by the head doctor of OC Planica Dr. Tomislav Mirkovic. “Daniel was admitted in the ambulance unconcise, he had to be intubated and mechanically ventilated. After the stabilization, we transported him by helicopter to the University Clinical Centre in Ljubljana. The preliminary tests are very promising. Now we will wait for 24 hours when the tests will be repeated. So, we will know more tomorrow afternoon”
Daniel Andre Tande has been admitted to the Ljubljana University Clinical Centre in a stable condition and has undergone all the necessary tests. The prospects look promising. "We are extremely grateful for the high professional first aid and medical care after the fall. The fall has looked dramatic for us and we are now relieved after the first diagnosis that Daniel´s injuries are not life-threatening, we have full confidence in the University Clinical Centre in Ljubljana.“ Clas Brede Brathen, the team leader of the Norwegian Ski Jumping Team said.
The second competition in Planica starts tomorrow at 3 pm CET.
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