COC-M: Local heroes on top in Bischofshofen
Sep 11, 2021·Ski Jumping
The Austrian hosts started the Continental Cup weekend in Bischofshofen (AUT) with an outstanding performance. The best athlete of an extremely strong Austrian team in the first competition of the weekend was veteran Manuel Fettner.
The 36-year-old, who has already shown convincing performances a couple of weeks ago in the most recent COC in Rasnov with a first and second place, was only seventh today after his first jump of 130 m, with a second jump on exactly the same distance and a total of 259.5 points, he could then celebrate his second win this summer.
Fettner's teammate Daniel Tschofenig posted jumps of 130 m and 127 m and came in second with 254.9 points. The young Austrian shared this spot on the podium with Fredrik Villumstad of Norway, who also scored 254.9 points with his jumps of 132.5 m and 126 m.
After the first half of the competition, Anze Lanisek was in the lead with the longest jump of the day of 137.5 m. Only 124 m in the final were then not good enough for him to defend the place on top. The Slovene finished fourth overall.
With Markus Mueller (5th), Mika Schwann (6th), Maximilian Steiner (7th), Timon-Pascal Kahofer (8th), Clemens Aigner (10th), and David Haagen (11th), six other Austrians, in addition to Fettner and Tschofenig, came in among the best this evening. Slovenia's Rok Masle, who came in ninth, was only the third jumper of any other nation who made the Top 10 today.
Some well-known names are working on their way back to the top in Bischofshofen this weekend. Former 4-Hills-Tournament winner Thomas Diethart had already ended his career after some serious crashes and has not competed internationally since September 2017. Late August the 29-year-old then had a successful comeback with a win in the FIS Cup in Einsiedeln. Today he finished 21st.
Anders Fannemel of Norway, who was sidelined due to an injury for a long time, took part in an international competition today for the first time since March 2019. The former world record holder was 24th in this competition.
After his win today, Manuel Fettner is now second in the overall ranking of the COC with 280 points, his teammate Mika Schwann leads with 416 points.
The second competition in Bischofshofen starts on Sunday at 10 am CET.
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