COC: Miran Zupancic takes his next win
Aug 31, 2018·Ski Jumping
The long weekend of the Ski Jumping Continental Cup in Sapporo (JPN) started already Friday with a competition on the normal hill. And like most recently in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GER) the Slovenes presented themselves in a strong shape.
After his success last Sunday, Miran Zupancic was also the best in first competition in Japan. With 100.5 m and 95 m and 253.7 points, the 27-year-old could secure his second win in a row. "I'm satisfied with my jumps, it's the second time I could win here on this hill. The good training last summer leads to this good results in winter", said the Slovene, almost exactly two years after his first win in a COC in Sapporo.
Andreas Wank of Germany showed jumps of 99.5 m and 95 m. This performance earned him 249.5 points, he came in second and prevented a triple victory of the Slovenian team. "My shape is getting better. My jumps were not so good, but a podium finish is a good result for me. I'm happy that we have two more competitions here this weekend."
The third and fourth place went to teammates of winner Miran Zupancic. Anze Lanisek, who was on the podium twice last weekend, confirmed his great shape with jumps of 98.5 m and 93 m (247.4 points) and the third place today. "This is the third time for me in Sapporo and my first podium here. My jumps were good and so I'm satisfied", said Lanisek.
Nejc Dezman, with 96 m eighth after the first round, had the best jump in the final with 94 m under slight tail wind and could move up to fourth.
Philipp Aschenwald was fifth and the best Austrian, Stefan Huber, Clemens Aigner and Florian Altenburger in eighth, ninth and tenth provided an overall strong result for the Austria Ski Association (ÖSV) on the first day in the Far East.
The best of the Norwegian team was Joakim Aune in sixth, he was followed by the Pius Paschke of Germany in seventh. The best athletes of the hosting team came in right behind the Top 10. Kenshiro Ito, Naoki Nakamura, Yukiya Sato and Masamitsu Ito finished on the places 11 to 14.
Miran Zupancic now took the lead in the overall ranking of the COC. With 423 points he is now ahead of the two Austrians Florian Altenburger (367 points) and Daniel Huber (356 points).
