Vikersund qualifier

Challenge! Stefan Kraft sails to second place

Stefan Kraft(Bild: AFP/TERJE BENDIKSBY)

In the prologue for the World Cup ski flying in Vikersund on Saturday (5 p.m.), Stefan Kraft proved his sailing qualities. On Friday, the Salzburg native marked the third-best distance with 226 meters, only the Slovenian Domen Prevc, who landed after 236 meters, beat him in points.

Kraft also benefited from better wind conditions compared to later jumpers in the absence of numerous Norwegians banned after the suit scandal.

The ÖSV eagles who started later had minor and major problems with these. Jan Hörl (6th) reached 215 meters, Manuel Fettner (10th) 204.5 and World Cup leader Daniel Tschofenig (15th) 198.5. With Michael Hayböck (28th/197.5), Maximilian Ortner (31st/195.5) and Stephan Embacher (33rd/182.5), all six Austrians reached the second competition of the Raw Air series. This will be concluded on Sunday with a second ski flying competition.

(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

While Kraft spoke of a "very cool flight" on ORF, Tschofenig once again lamented the changing conditions. "Of course that's bitter, luck has often not been on my side recently," emphasized the Carinthian, who recently came away empty-handed in the individual jumping events at the World Championships.

Challenge
Alongside Prevc, Timi Zajc in third place (230 m) underlined the dominance of the Slovenians, who have shared the victories in the two ski flying events of the season so far in Oberstdorf at the end of January. "If he makes a mistake, we'll be there," said Kraft with regard to Prevc.