Stefan Kraft enjoys an excellent form in the finish of the Olympic winter, but the current “high-flyers” stand in the way of the first ÖSV season victory. Pole Kamil Stoch, already a World Cup winner, celebrated his eighth season success at Planica on Friday, his predecessor from Salzburg finished 12.9 points behind the Norwegian Johann Andre Forfang.
Stoch flew with 245 and 234 meters to his 30th birthday. Victory in the World Cup, Forfang (242/234.5) was only 3.7 points behind. World record holder Kraft improved with 238 and 234.5 meters from fourth half time rank. In the final he replaced the Norwegian Robert Johansson (245/227.5) on his 28th place. Birthday.
Kraft had won both individual events on his favourite hill last year, on Friday he was happy about three flights of more than 230 metres, “And then third, that was really cool,” said the 24-year-old. A victory, Kraft said, could not be planned, “I can only unpack my cool flights. “I still feel really fit, that’s the most important condition.”
Johansson still has a chance at the small crystal ball in ski flying in the last individual competition on Sunday. He is only twelve points behind his leading team mate Andreas Stjernen, who finished eighth on Friday.
The Norwegians are again clear favourites in the team competition on Saturday after their record lead in Vikersund. Four jumpers finished in the top eight, although World Champion Daniel Andre Tande did not qualify.
ÖSV head coach Heinz Kuttin nominated the quartet Gregor Schlierenzauer, Daniel Huber, Clemens Aigner and Kraft. Schlierenzauer came over the 27. He did not make it out of the second place (210.5/194 m) and thus missed the participation in the Sunday competition, which is contested by the best 30 of the Ski Flying World Cup.
Apart from Kraft, only Aigner and Michael Hayböck are qualified from the ÖSV team. Hayböck had missed the first Planica application due to a viral disease and wants to decide on an assignment on Saturday.
Huber had increased his record to 221.5 meters in the qualification on Thursday and finished 25th in the competition. Position (208.5/214 m).