Kobayashi does the double and reigns supreme in Sapporo
Feb 16, 2025·Ski Jumping
Olympic champion Ryoyu Kobayashi completed an ideal final World Cup weekend, before the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, with a second successive victory in Sapporo (JPN).
The Japanese superstar, who won gold in the Normal Hill event at Beijing 2022, as well as silver in the Large Hill discipline, will now seek a maiden World title in Trondheim (NOR), next month.
Kobayashi, who attained his first win and podium finish of the season on Saturday, trailed Beijing 2022 Large Hill champion Marius Lindvik (NOR) at the halfway stage of the second Sapporo World Cup, by 7.3 points.
However, cheered on by home support Kobayashi overhauled his rival with a jump of 137m.
Lindvik's countryman Johann Andre Forfang (268.7) climbed four places between the rounds to place third.
The Japanese athlete finished with a combined total of 278.4 from his two jumps, with Lindvik (274.2) achieving his first top-three result of the 2024/25 campaign, in second.
Countryman Johann Andre Forfang (268.7) climbed four places between the rounds to place third.
“I can’t really say anything, I’m so happy,” said an emotional Kobayashi after recording his second successive victory in less than 24 hours. “I jumped just how I imagined.”
Looking ahead to Trondheim 2025, he added; “I have to prepare a little bit more, (but), it’s a title I haven’t won yet, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Yellow jersey holder Daniel Tschofenig missed out on the podium for just the fourth time across an FIS Ski Jumping World Cup weekend, but the overall leader, who finished fourth in both events in Sapporo, holds a commanding 183 point lead at the top of the standings.
Despite topping the standings on Saturday Kobayashi’s form early on Sunday in the qualification round had suggested he might find a double podium more than a little challenging.
However, once the main event began, the 28-year-old, cheered on by an excitable crowd showed how he is still a man who relishes performing on the big occasion.
He was not the only reason for the supporters in Sapporo to shout for though, with nine Japanese athletes progressing to the main round, including legendary ski jumper Noriaki Kasai.
The 52-year-old, who was making a record-extending 580th World Cup appearance, missed out on a place in the main round on Saturday, but delighted those in attendance at the Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium by qualifying.
He would ultimately place 45th, but hopes to return to the circuit again soon as he seeks to attain 600 World Cup appearances before retiring.
Another athlete who was unable to progress to the final round was Pius Paschke with the German, who has won dive World Cup stages this season, now without a top-three finish since the middle of December.
His international team-mate Andreas Wellinger enjoyed a much more promising start to the second Sapporo contest, with the two-time Olympic champion in fourth and just 1.4 points short of Domen Prevc (SLO) at the halfway stage.
The top of the standings at the halfway stage took on something of an unfamiliar look given results so far this season, with no Austrians in the top four places.
Lindvik’s reward for an outstanding jump of 136m, which scored 139.3 points, was a lead of 7.3 from Kobayashi after the completion of the opening stage, with Prevc and Wellinger just behind.
World Cup leader and Four Hills Tournament winner Tschofenig and gave Austria hope though in fifth and sixth, with Forfang seventh.
The expected Austrian medal-charge did not materialise though.
Despite spirited efforts from Jan Hoerl, who climbed from 10th to sixth, as well as Tschofenig and Kraft, who each surpassed the 130m mark in the second round, they would place fourth and fifth.
Wellinger has struggled to find his usual consistency this season and he, like Domen Prevc (SLO), who had finished third on Saturday, would slip down the rankings and out of contention.
Nestled in behind Prevc, in eighth and Wellinger in ninth, was Timi Zajc (SLO). The Slovenian’s effort of 138m was the longest jump of the day and it enabled him to climb eight places.
Also rising was Forfang. The Norwegian has been in impressive form over the last month, but endured a difficult opening to the Sapporo World Cup weekend with poor conditions impacting an otherwise strong performance on Saturday.
His brilliant second round jump saw him climb from seventh to third and ensure he takes positive momentum into his home World Championships next month.
Lindvik too will head to Trondheim 2025 with renewed optimism after ending an 11 month run for a top-three World Cup finish with his best result of the season, placing second.
It could have been a first victory since 2022 for the Olympic, World and European medalist, but Kobayashi’s brilliance saw the Japanese jumper leap into the lead.
His final jump of 137m achieved the highest score of the contest, 146.4 points, to give the home favourite a deserved victory.
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