Nika Kriznar wins in Willingen
Jan 30, 2022·Ski Jumping
Slovenia's Nika Kriznar took a spectacular win in Sunday's women's World Cup competition in Willingen. In once again difficult wind conditions, last winter's overall World Cup champion posted a jump of 151 m, before the jury again decided to end the competition after the first round. Katharina Althaus of Germany and Russia's Aleksandra Kustova came in second and third.
The day in Willingen started with the news of a positive Covid-test of yesterday's winner and top favorite Marita Kramer of Austria. The Austrian team then decided to not compete on Sunday and return back home to Austria immediately.
Like on the previous days, the conditions were difficult on the Muehlenkopf-hill again. Slovenia's Nika Kriznar could handle these conditions the best: "It was an amazing feeling in the air, I just enjoyed it. I didn't really expect to win here, but I could jump really far here today. It was a good competition", Kriznar said after her 151 m jump. It was her fourth World Cup win, the second this winter.
Second-placed Katharina Althaus said after the competition: "The competitions here in Willingen were not easy but I'm very satisfied and happy that I could finish on the podium twice. I can leave Willingen with a very good feeling."
The surprise of the day was the third place of Russia's Aleksandra Kustova. "The hill here in Willingen is quite interesting and it allows us to jump really long, unfortunately, the weather was not so nice. Jumping 150 m was an interesting feeling because at the beginning I didn't realize what happened and then I thought that I could have jumped even further", she said after jumping on 150 m.
Frida Westman of Sweden, who is coached by Roar Ljoekelsoey, once again finished in the Top 10 today, after her tenth place on Saturday, she came in seventh today, Josephine Pagnier of France showed a strong performance and finished fourth.
The athletes will now travel to Beijing, where the individual competition at the Olympic Games will be held on February 5th, the mixed team event follows on February 7th.
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