Anze Lanisek wins record chase at the Arctic Circle
Nov 26, 2022·Ski Jumping
Deepest winter, a superbly prepared Rukatunturi ski jump in Ruka/Kuusamo and world-class athletes, whose enthusiasm was evident in every jump, ensured a high-class first competition in Ruka (FIN).
In the end, Slovenia's Anze Lanisek won with a new hill record (149 metres / round 1) just ahead of Austria's Stefan Kraft and Piotr Zyla from Poland.
Anze Lanisek had already won in Ruka last winter (his first World Cup victory at that time) and is currently in absolute top form. "I love this hill in Ruka, my first jump today was really good," said the winner who had already dominated the training on Friday and won the qualification in the morning. Lanisek set a breathtaking new hill record with 149 metres. The 26-year-old is also top favourite for the second competition in Ruka on Sunday. (Start is at 9:00 CET).
"That was one of the coolest competitions here today. Not to be in the final on a 120-metre hill with 130-metre jumps, that says it all. I jumped over 140 metres three times, which is extremely cool. That was really one of the coolest competitions for us ski jumpers. It was perfect conditions and for me a perfect second place because Anze was unbeatable today. The self-confidence is right, but there is no guarantee for tomorrow's competition, one small mistake and you are 15th or don't even reach the final" explained Stefan Kraft who reached a podium finish in Ruka for the first time in his career.
"It was a high-class competition today, you could see that the field is very close together, small things decide about 10 places or not, the level is very high" explained ÖSV head coach Andreas Widhölzl.
"I gave everything I had in me today. I’m very happy with this result. Yesterday we didn’t have a competition or qualification round so I lacked a bit motivation. Since early morning I couldn’t wait for the jumping - I woke up already at 5!“ Piotr Zyla described his emotions after his 3rd place.
Karl Geiger was the best DSV athlete in 6th place, Giovanni Bresadola was convincing in 11th place for Italy. Vladimir Zografski (BUL) came in 26th and Turkey's Fatih Arda Ipcioglu secured two valuable World Cup points in 29th place. All this in a competition at the highest level, where a number of top athletes did not reach the final,
The German team had only been able to take part in the competition due to an early morning postponed qualification, after the team's skis had not arrived in time at the Arctic Circle.
Karl Geiger, Andreas Wellinger, Markus Eisenbichler, Pius Paschke, Stephan Leyhe and Constantin Schmid did well and all reached the final....
In the overall World Cup, David Kubacki from Poland, who finished fourth today, continues to lead with 250 points ahead of Anze Lanisek (186 points) and Stefan Kraft (185).
