Ski Flying Worlds: Markus Eisenbichler remains the top favorite
Dec 10, 2020·Ski Jumping
Top favorite Markus Eisenbichler won the qualification for the Ski Flying World Championships in Planica on Thursday evening in an impressive manner.
Eisenbichler jumped on 225.5 m, which means the flight of the Bavarian was shorter than the one of second-placed Austrian Michael Hayboeck (242.5 m), but the bonus points due to worse wind conditions and the shorter inurn earned Eisenbichler the win in today's qualification. The third place went to World Cup leader Halvor Egner Granerud of Norway.
"The entire training today was a lot of fun. I really enjoy it, the wind is coming a bit from behind, as was suspected, I had three nice flights today and it was a really good start. Now I'm looking forward to the competitions here in Planica", Eisenbichler said after his first day of the 26th Ski Flying World Championships.
Besides Eisenbichler, Karl Geiger completed the perfect result of the German team today after his short break last weekend in fourth. Defending champion Daniel Andre Tande of Norway was fifth, followed by the best of the Polish team, Kamil Stoch, in sixth.
Austria's Stefan Kraft made some news today. After recovering from his Covid-19 infection, he presented himself in great shape with 239 m in the first training round, but then we could not jump anymore due to severe back problems. This means Stefan Kraft will not be able to compete in the indivdiual event in Planica. At this point it's not yet clear whether he will be able to participate in Sunday's team competition.
For the team of Switzerland the World Championships are already over. According to requirements of the Slovenian authorities, the whole team was not allowed to compete after a coach tested positive for Covid-19. The team of head coach Ronny Hornschuh is already on its way back home to Switzerland.
Norway's Marius Lindvik will also not jump in Planica. He decided to not take part in the Championships due to personal reasons and will also not be on the Norwegian team on Sunday.
The first two of a total of four competition rounds of the individual event will start tomorrow at 4 pm CET, followed by the third and fourth round on Friday, also at 4 pm CET.
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