Deschwanden, Shimizu
and Hayboeck the best in the first training
RusSki Gorki Ski Jumping Center - FIS
The first training for the Olympic competition on
the normal hill in Sochi took place under perfect
conditions. No wind, - 2°C and a breathtaking
view at the RusSki Gorki Ski facility in Sochi provided
an appropriate framework for the start of the ski
jumping competitions.
After his three extremely strong jumps in the first
training on the HS 106 hill in Sochi, Austrian Michael
Hayboeck is now one of the top contenders for the
medals. Hayboeck jumped on 97 m, 101 m and 101 m
and has to be considered one of the top favorites
for the normal hill competition on Sunday.
Two other jumpers, who were not among the favorites
so far, ccing performances. Swiss Gregor Deschwanden
showed the best jump in the first training round
witould also show convinh 98.5 m, Reruhi Shimizu
was the best in the second round with 101.5 m.
After the impressions of the first training, the
German hopes rest on Severin Freund and Andreas
Wellinger. While Freund showed strong performances
in all three rounds, Wellinger improved step by
step and jumped on 100.5 m in the third round.
Falls of Jacobsen and Kranjec
In the truest sense of the word, Norway's Anders
Jacobsen got away with no more than a black eye,
when he fell in the first round. "Everything will
be okay by Sunday", said Jacobsen, who was already
jumping again in the third round. Slovenia's Robert
Kranjec had a spectacular third jump. He was not
in balance after the take-off and lost control over
his jump. But Kranjec was able to land on both feet
and didn't suffer any injuries.
The second official training will already take place
on Friday at 11:00 am local time (8:00 am CET).
Thomas Morgenstern (AUT): "It's
a really big victory for me to be here and take
part. The training was not perfect, but I'm taking
it step by step. I hope I will enjoy the Games,
get back home safely and hopefully surprise. I don't
feel any pressure at the moment because of the fall.
I already have a Gold medal at home. I could surprise
here."
Simon Ammann (SUI): "I must be
very good here to get the right timing. In the last
jump I didn't have it. What counts in the competition
on Sunday. It's a big task to win Gold again. I
came here to ski jump and not for the medals. Any
medal is good."
Peter Frenette (USA): "I am a bit
tired from jet-lag already but preparation has to
change as I have to start the day later. I will
get used to it before the competition starts, though."
Severin Freund (GER): "It has been
a good season. I was on the podium twice and this
is a good sign before such a big competition. I'm
quite happy with the training jumps. It has been
a nice day to get to know the hill again. But you
have to jump better to win a medal as everyone is
improving."
Anders Jacobsen (NOR): "The fall
wasn't caused by the new bindings, it was my personal
mistake. My bindings have been accepted by the federation."
Kamil Stoch (POL): "The hill is
difficult. It is modern, but totally different from
any other hill. I have to work more. Mistakes have
a bigger effect on the jump than on the large hill.
My jumps here weren't bad, but not good enough for
me either. I'm not feeling any pressure, I'm just
doing my job."
Yuta Watase (JPN): "It's more difficult
than I imagined. I thought I would be jumping better.
Of course the Olympics is different from a normal
World Cup and that's why I was nervous."
Taku Takeuchi (JPN): "After my
illness in January I'm okay again now, physically
and mentally. Now I'm taking some medicine but I
eat the same food as everybody else. We have an
Asian Corner in our accomodation, but I don't eat
there. It's not very good. On my helmet there is
an image of the Japanese character Tobu, it means
flight. We couldn't print letters or words on the
helmet, that's why it looks more like a picture."
Tomoharu Yokokawa (head coach JPN):
"Daiki Ito and Noriaki Kasai are experienced athletes
and that's why they can afford to have their rest.
There are two training days, so they can skip one.
Kasai shows his best performances in the competitions.
Takeuchi is physically okay again, but we shouldn't
rush things. He should take it safe and slowly."
