FIS Grand Prix in Wisla: Lindvik wins
Sep 14, 2024·Ski Jumping
Norway ahead of Estonia and Switzerland. The podium of the first Grand Prix competition in Wisla (POL) on Saturday was the surprising result of a great competition in surprisingly good conditions.
Heavy rain and wind had been forecast for Saturday in Wisla, but in the end the conditions were good and everyone involved stayed mostly dry, and the spectators enjoyed a great competition.
Olympic champion Marius Lindvik (Beijing 2022) from Norway was the beaming winner of the first of two FIS Grand Prix competitions in Wisla (POL). Lindvik won by a clear margin of 14.3 points ahead of surprise second Artti Aigro from Estonia.
“I was in good shape in training and I've managed some good jumps in recent weeks, but I didn't know how good my form would be on an international level. Now I'm very happy with the jumps and of course with the victory. I'm looking forward to the second competition tomorrow and expect a similarly high level,” explained Lindvik after the competition.
But the surprise of the day came from someone else: Estonian Artti Aigro, who trains in a group with the Norwegians and the US boys, showed outstanding jumps, especially the Estonian's final jump was of the highest quality. In the end, the reward was the first podium in a Grand Prix competition for the Estonian, and the 25-year-old was overjoyed about his coup.
Gregor Deschwanden was once again able to prove his summer qualities. Last summer, the Swiss athlete had already taken second place in the overall Grand Prix ranking.
Deschwanden is now in fourth place in the overall Grand Prix rankings, behind the leading Austrian Stefan Kraft, who did not compete in Wisla. Alex Insam from Italy (5th place today) is in second place, third is the Frenchman Valentin Foubert (also not at the start in Wisla).
Only 0.1 points behind Deschwanden was the Norwegian Johann Andre Forfang in fourth place in the daily ranking in Wisla.
The 19-year-old American Tate Frantz celebrated his biggest success to date in 6th place in the daily rankings. In addition to Frantz, the two Americans Erik Belshaw and Kevin Bickner were also able to impress in 18th and 21st place. The cooperation with the Norwegians is doing the Americans just as much good as the Estonian Aigro.
Aleksander Zniszczol was the best of the Ponish team in 8th place, with Dawid Kubacki right behind him in 9th place.
There were no German athletes at the start.
The second competition in Wisla starts on Sunday at 15:00.
