Thomas Morgenstern had the best leap of the day in the second round Sunday to win the first stop of the prestigious Four Hills ski jumping tournament in Oberstdorf, Germany.
The Austrian, who has won seven of eight World Cup events this season, was aided by optimal wind conditions on his second jump of 141.5 meters, pushing him past first-round leader Gregor Schlierenzauer.
Morgenstern finished with 295.9 points while Schlierenzauer was second with 280.7. Four-time Four Hills winner Janne Ahonen of Finland was third with 279.0.
“That was one of my best jumps ever — just a huge feeling,” said Morgenstern, a 21-year-old who is coming off a record six straight World Cup wins to open the season, and could equal Germany’s Sven Hannawald as the only jumper to win all four competitions in the tournament. “I’m jumping very well so a lot is possible. But right now what is important is the next event. Then we’ll see.”
Demong finishes second.
Magnus Moan of Norway battled snowfall and strong wind to win a nordic combined World Cup event in Oberhof, Germany, edging Bill Demong of the United States by 0.1 seconds in a photo finish.
Moan finished in 40 minutes, 8.8 seconds for his first win of the season, with Petter Tande of Norway taking third, 9.1 behind. Demong started the 15-kilometer race four seconds behind Moan before a strong push at the end.
“We both stuck our foot out and it’s probably within an inch, maybe two, that Magnus got it,” Demong said.
Demong was 15th in the ski jump in foggy conditions.
“On my second jump, I had no idea where I was in the fog,” he said. “But the track was hard and in great shape, so we had an excellent race.”
Ronny Ackermann of Germany led most of the race but was caught by the three skiers on the final lap, denying the four-time world champion a podium finish on his home course for the first time in his seven-year career. He ended up fourth, 11.8 back.
Ostensen takes tour lead.
Nikolay Morilov of Russia and Arianna Follis of Italy won the sprint cross country races in the Tour de Ski in Prague, Czech Republic.
Morilov finished the 1-kilometer freestyle race in 1:35.08, edging Simen Ostensen of Norway by 0.3 seconds.
However, Ostensen seized the overall lead in the tour, 12.1 seconds ahead of Lukas Bauer of the Czech Republic. Tor Arne Hetland of Norway was third and is also third overall, 14.9 seconds back.
The tour includes eight races in 10 days.
