Ski jumping: Benckeling won Villach

Pinkelnig proved that the hill at Villach suited her. The experienced jumper, who had been unbeatable in the qualifiers, was already in the lead after the first round with a jump of 91.5 metres. In the end it added the maximum distance of 95.5 metres.

Pinkling takes over the World Cup

“I always try to do my best, I’m doing really well at the moment,” said Pinkling, who celebrated her fifth World Cup individual success. “It was the first victory at home and I will especially enjoy the national anthem,” said the 34-year-old. With her second victory of the season after the second competition in Wisla, she replaced Germany’s Katarina Althaus, who was ninth in Villach, at the top of the World Cup rankings.

As the second best Austrian, Kramer could also be content. Last season’s World Cup winner overall improved in heat two from tenth to fifth with a jump of 93.5m. She was only 0.6 points away from a place on the podium. “I’m very, very satisfied,” said Kramer, who recently reeled from her performance. “I have an approach again where I say I can keep working. It’s going in the right direction again and gives me motivation for more competitions. It was a very nice competition,” analyzed the Salzburg native.

Two competitions in Villach and two in Ljubno

Kiara Crozier was 13th with 231.5 points (89.5m / 89.0m), Jacqueline Sifriedsberger was 23rd with 214.0 points (88.0 / 81.5), while local Carnthian champion Hannah Wigley 39 missed the jump to the final round.

On Thursday (1:00 pm live ORF 1) there will be another competition in Villach. Then the new “Golden Owl” women’s tour concludes with two competitions on New Year’s Eve (4:00 pm) and New Year’s Day (4:30 pm, both live ORF 1) in Ljubno, Slovenia.