"Kitschy dream day"

Kraft flies to overall World Cup victory

Stefan Kraft

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Stefan Kraft secured his third major World Cup trophy in the first of two Ski Flying World Cup competitions on Sunday. The 30-year-old from Salzburg, who has already become ski flying world champion this season, sailed down to 244.5 m in Vikersund and celebrated his 13th victory of the season.

Behind him, Daniel Huber, who even flew to 247.5 m, was another Austrian in second place. Domen Prevc (SLO) came third.

"Yes, cheesy. A dream day so far and it's only half over. The conditions are brilliant and I finally got out straight, definitely my best jump so far," said Kraft. He was also pleased that "Hubsi, one of my best friends next to me, is second".

Stefan Kraft

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The ski flying world champion also summed up the season briefly: "A perfect start with four wins in a row. It was a three-way battle for a long time, very nerve-wracking. I did sleep less a few times because Ryoyu was in my dreams," he confessed and laughed. "This is my best season so far."

Shortened before Kraft
Kraft showed nerves of steel on Sunday. He was the last to leave the bakken, on which he flew the still valid ski flying world record seven years ago, and immediately in front of him was shortened again to hatch 10. The athletes in front of him had already flown nowhere near the bottom after a shortening after Huber's giant set.

Kraft, who simply had to stay ahead of his last remaining rival, Ryoyu Kobayashi (JPN), to secure the overall World Cup in the first competition on Sunday, was not fazed and sailed to his 13th win of the season. He is now only ten wins behind Gregor Schlierenzauer and three behind the second-placed Finn Matti Nykänen in the Eternal Best ranking.

Daniel-Huber

(Bild: AFP/JURE MAKOVEC)

For Kraft, it is the third big globe after 2016/17, 2019/20. Like Andreas Goldberger, this makes him a three-time overall winner; only Nykänen and Adam Malysz (POL) have won more often with four victories each.

After many setbacks, Huber was also able to celebrate not only a new personal best, but also his first podium finish of the season (his fifth overall). "Coming second behind Krafti is mega cool, a really great result. We've known each other for 20 years and now we've managed the double pole," said Huber, adding of his flight: "I was really on the wave and then I didn't put up any more resistance. It was a sensationally awesome flight."

Men - 1st competition (only 1 run):
1st Stefan Kraft (AUT) 256.0 points (244.5 m) - 2nd Daniel Huber (AUT) 248.2 (247.5) - 3rd Domen Prevc (SLO) 245.4 (236.5) - 4th Halvor Egner Granerud (NOR) 231.1 (232.5) - 5th Robert Johansson (NOR) 227.0 (220.5) - 6th Andreas Wellinger (GER) 225.8 (216.5). Next: 14th Daniel Tschofenig 211.1 (215.5) - 17th Michael Hayböck 206.2 (202.5) - 24th Jan Hörl 196.8 (197) - 33rd Manuel Fettner (all AUT) 182.7 (192)

Another competition follows at 3.30 pm

Record winner overall World Cup:
4 Nykänen, Malysz
3 Kraft, Goldberger
2 Ahonen, Kogler, Schmitt, Peterka, Morgenstern, Schlierenzauer, Stoch, Kobayashi, Granerud

Most successful ski jumpers incl. podium places (1st - 2nd - 3rd - overall):
1st Gregor Schlierenzauer (AUT) 53 - 20 - 15 - 88
2. Matti Nykänen (FIN) 46 - 22 - 8 - 76
3rd Stefan Kraft (AUT) 43 - 34 - 40 - 116