The last competition in ski jumping is behind us in 2023. During Sunday's qualifying session for Wednesday's four-hill tournament in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Anze Lanisek was at his best. Among the Poles, Kamil Stoch jumped the farthest and took 22nd place. Alexander Znischol, David Kubaki and Piotr Zhila also took part in the New Year's competition. Drama struck Makej Kot.
The cat took 51st place, the last one that… didn't make it to Monday's competition. Pavel Vasek finished the competition even worse and, therefore, without qualification, took the 55th place out of 64 jumpers.
However, Gilles can say he was very lucky to finish last – 50th, which allowed him to progress – only because Domen Prevc was disqualified for an illegal jumpsuit.
Znishchol took the 23rd place, and Kubaki took the 30th place.
Anze Lanisek turned out to be the best. Andreas Wellinger took the second place with the longest jump – 139 meters. Manuel Fetner completed the podium.
There were 64 jumpers in the starting list, and 62 were classified.
Wellinger won the first stage of this prestigious event, which took place on Friday in Oberstdorf. The best pole, Stoch, was 17th.
TCS uses the KO system – 25 pairs are formed based on the qualifying results (by key: 1st out of 50, 2nd out of 49, etc.). Their winner and five “lucky losers” will advance to the final series.
On Monday, Stoch will have an interesting contest against the best of the previous edition of TCS, but currently slightly worse, Norway's Halvor Egner Granerud. Znishol's opponent will be Finnish Niko Kitosaho, Kubak's opponent will be Norwegian Johan Andre Forfang, and Zila's opponent will be the best qualifier Lanisek.
The New Year competition in Garmisch-Partenkirchen starts on the 14th.
After this competition, TCS will move to Austria. The contestants will compete in Innsbruck on January 3rd and finish in Bischofshofen on January 6th.
KN, Polsat Sport