1st World Cup Victory

ÖSV Eagle Embacher Soars to Victory in Vikersund

Stephan Embacher(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

Stephan Embacher celebrated his first World Cup victory on the ski flying hill in Vikersund!

The 20-year-old Tyrolean prevailed on Saturday after jumps of 232 and 225 meters, finishing 12.3 points ahead of Japan’s Tomofumi Naito. Third place went to Norwegian local hero Johann Andre Forfang. Domen Prevc, who had previously dominated ski flying, finished only fifth. With this victory, Embacher also took the lead in the Ski Flying World Cup.

The second-best Austrian was Jonas Schuster in 11th place, while Maximilian Ortner and Stefan Kraft also made the top 20, finishing 12th and 16th, respectively. Another competition is scheduled for Sunday (5:15 p.m.) in Vikersund. The season finale will take place in Planica next weekend.

Tyrolean Entered Competition Weakened
“It’s unbelievable. When I woke up this morning, I didn’t think about it. I didn’t expect all three jumps to go well,” Embacher said in an ORF interview. He had entered the competition weakened; his stomach had been giving the Olympic team champion trouble. His weakness was not apparent during the competition. Embacher, the second-to-last jumper in the first round, landed at 232 meters and took first place. Prevc was unable to respond. After the first jump, the Slovenian trailed the Austrian by 13.4 points. Forfang was sandwiched in between them.

The result:

Daniel Tschofenig failed to get into his stride and missed out on the final round, finishing 34th. Kraft—the record holder at Vikersund Bakken with a jump of 253.5 meters—finished the first round in 20th place. Ahead of him from an Austrian perspective were Schuster (13th) and Ortner (15th). For Embacher, recovery was the top priority during the break. “After the second jump, I can already feel the energy running out in my legs,” he said.

Embacher Now the One to Beat
It turned out well. In the second round, Embacher no longer had to worry. After Kraft, Schuster, and Ortner had all improved their jumps, Prevc was unable to mount an attack. The overall World Cup winner landed at just 218.5 meters and was frustrated. Forfang also fell short of the Japanese athlete Naito. Embacher showed no nerves despite the shifting winds. On Sunday, he’ll enter the second jump as the man to beat. He now leads Prevc by 15 points in the Ski Flying World Cup. “It’ll be exciting to be the last one up there tomorrow. Leading the overall standings at this level is something very special,” said Embacher.