Katharina Althaus is the new World Champion!

Katharina Althaus won the gold medal at the normal hill in Planica. The German defeated Austria's Eva Pinkelnig by 2.2 points and Norway's Anna Odine Stroem by 3.1 points. The defending champion Ema Klinec finished in 19th.

Althaus was twice the silver medalist at the Olympic Games, she won silver at the World Championships in Seefeld four years ago, twice finished as second in the World Cup Overall, but always missed the gold. Until this Thursday.

It was a thrilling competition opening the rivalry at the World Championships in Planica. After the first round, Anna Odine Stroem led with the longest jump of the event – 100 meters. Katharina Althaus followed in second with her 98.5 meters. But she was almost 5 points behind the Norwegian. Eva Pinkelnig was third.

The final jumps of the competition brought huge emotions and extreme tension. Thea Minyan Bjoerseth (NOR) landed at 97.5 meters, which seemed to have opened the door for a medal. Shortly after, Selina Freitag (GER) showed a jump on 98 meters and became the new leader. Pinkelnig made it even better with 100 meters and secured herself a medal.

Only two athletes left. Althaus landed at 97 meters, but her advantage after the first round was good enough to take the first place. Stroem jumped on 95 meters and ended up third behind Althaus and Pinkelnig.

Freitag followed in the fourth place, Bjoerseth was fifth and Yuki Ito (JPN) completed the Top 6.

The Norwegian legend Maren Lundby, who makes her comeback this season, did surprisingly well reaching the seventh place after two consistent jumps on 94.5 and 94 meters.

Two Canadians were deemed top contenders. Abigail Strate, whose basecamp is in Slovenia, finished as 10th. The newly crowned Junior World Champion Alexandria Loutitt, who presented herself great in the training rounds, was 8th after the first round, but eventually came in 26th.

It wasn't a good day either for the home nation. None of the Slovenes made it to the Top 10. Nika Kriznar was the best in 11th. The defending champion Ema Klinec took the 19th place, two spots behind the youngster, Nika Prevc.

Finland's Jenny Rautionaho reached a good result after her nasty fall in Willingen. The 16th place is her strongest performance at the major event. Josephine Pagnier (FRA) and Lara Malsiner (ITA) also finished in the Top 20.

Next up for women is the team competition on Saturday. The mixed team event will be held on Sunday.