Kvandal masters ‘turbulent’ conditions to win in Willingen
Feb 01, 2025·Ski Jumping
Norwegian World medallist Eirin Maria Kvandal demonstrated a greater mastery of tricky conditions in Willingen to secure a second World Cup victory in as many days
The 23-year-old, who was part Norway’s Mixed Team winners on Friday, had placed in second after the opening round of the women’s individual contest.
She had trailed team-mate Anna Odine Stroem by just 0.3 points though and a stunning second round jump of 144.5m saw her reverse the standings with an overall points total of 261.7.
Stroem (245.8) would join Kvandal on the podium, with Austria’s Jacqueline Seifriedsberger (236.6) continuing her recent impressive form with third.
“It was a great day, the hill is amazing and I had a lot of fun today,” said Kvandal, who was also victorious in Sapporo last month. “I think it’s amazing and it’s such a nice hill to fly far.
“I was a bit disappointed with my jump in the first round but I did a lot better in the second," continued Kvandal.
“I’m really happy for the team, we’re taking points in the Nation Cup and that’s been a team goal for us for a couple of years, we really want to win that and it’s a great day for us.”
2023/24 Crystal Globe winner Nika Prevc (SLO) had entered the first event in February off the back of a impressive opening month, which saw her retain the Two Nights Tour title and overtake Katharina Schmid (GER) in the overall World Cup standings.
The teenager found herself sixth after an opening round which was largely dominated by weather delays and changeable conditions which were many in the field found difficult to find solutions for.
USA’s Paige Jones described the gusts “turbulent”, but many were still happy with the hill presentation and the sunny conditions.
Despite Prevc’s performance ranking her lower than she would have expected ahead of the event, she faired better than her German rival Schmid, who, after finishing 16th and 12 last weekend in Zao (JPN), was again struggling in 15th after the opening round in Willingen.
The seven-time World champion improved in the second round, but placing 11th overall cost her valuable points and the German will be aiming to rediscover her best form next week in Lake Placid (USA).
Among those heading to the USA will confidence will be Jacqueline Seifreidsberger (AUT).
The 34-year-old double European Games gold medallist struggled during the first half of the season, before claiming two individual podium finishes, together with two team successes in January.
She has taken that momentum into February, by claiming third following two strong jumps which included a second-round effort, of 147m, which was the furthest achieved by any athlete in the event.
Anna Odine Stroem, a six-time World medallist, continued her build-up to her home World Championships in March, with a second World Cup podium of the season.
“It was a great team performance and I saw what she (Kvandal) did in the second round which tricky for everyone, but I’m really happy for her and it was a great result for the team,” said Stroem.
The 26-year-old had led after the first round, but was unable to rival team-mate Kvandal’s spectacular finish to her competition and she is now a strong third in the overall World Cup rankings.
“It was a really amazing day,” reflected the Norwegian. “The hill, crowd and weather, everything was perfect and it’s really nice to win in Willingen, so I’m really happy.”
The women return to World Cup action next weekend and those lining up in Lake Placid (USA) will make history as the first-ever female competitors to leap from the hill in an FIS Ski Jumping World Cup.
“I’m really excited just to go back and on home ground after so long, but also I’ve never really been able to have home advantage,” said Paige Jones.
“So, going to Lake Placid, knowing that’s a hill I know, is really exciting.”
FIS Ski Jumping World Cup Lake Placid (USA):
6 February
TBC - Start Qualification Women’s LH
7 February
09.20 - Competition Start Women’s LH
8 February
TBC - Start Qualification Women’s LH
10.00 - Start Qualification Men’s LH
14.30 - Competition Start Women's LH
17.00 - Competition Start Men’s LH
17.00 - Competition Start Mixed Team LH
9 February
08.30 - Start Qualification Men’s LH
10.00 - Competition Start Men’s LH
* All listings are in Eastern Standard Time (EST) and are subject to change.
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