Double victory for Japan in Frenstat
Aug 15, 2021·Ski Jumping
Sara Takanashi and Nozomi Maruyama secured a double victory for Japan today in Frenstat pod Radhostem (CZE). Third place went to Norway’s Silje Opseth.
Despite ankle problems, Takanashi was in the lead already after first round. In the final the Japanese jumped 104,5 metres setting new hill record. “My second jump was really good and I am really happy I was able to show my best jump here in Frenstat in the final of today’s event,” said Takanashi after her 26th Grand Prix win. 15,4 points behind came Nozomi Maruyama who was already on the podium in second competition in Wisla earlier on in July.
In the absence of top Norwegian athlete Maren Lundby, who decided to take a break, top-3 was completed by Silje Opseth. “I have to say I am a bit surprised with today’s result. I have not liked this hill before so I have not expected to do so well here in this competition. This makes me even happier.”
Nika Kriznar, who won yesterday’s qualification and was second after the first round, had to be satisfied with fourth place today. Russian Irina Avvakumova once again proved that she has to be reckoned with in fifth today. Winner of all previous Grand Prix competitions this summer Slovenian Ursa Bogataj could not keep up with the best this time and ended up sixth.
Places seventh and eighth went to two Japanese Kaori Iwabuchi and Yuki Ito. Another top-10 result was achieved by best French Julia Clair. Place tenth went to another Russian Sofia Tikhonova.
In the absence of the best Austrians, Lisa Eder came 11th. After a great result in yesterday’s qualification, Canadian Abigail Strate had her career best in 13th. Czech Klara Ulrichova, who was 9th after the first round, ended up in 14th place.
The two Chinese who qualified for today’s competition both scored first ever Grand Prix points. Liangyao Wang was 26th, her team mate Qingyue Peng finished 30th.
Women’s Grand Prix continues in Chaikovsky (RUS), where two individual and a mixed-team competitions will be held on 11th and 12th September.
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