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Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria celebrates on the podium after winning the FIS World Cup ski jumping competition in Planica March 20, 2009. Schlierenzauer won ahead of second placed Adam Malysz of Poland and third placed Dimitry Vassiliev of Russia. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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BELGRADE, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Gregor Schlierenzauer
of Austria won a ski jumping World Cup event at Planica in northwestern Slovenia
on Friday, consolidating his status as the best ski jumper of the season.
The 19-year-old reigning ski jumping world champion
won the event, which was reduced to one jump due to strong winds, with a feat of
203 meters (196.1 points), the Slovenian news agency STA reported.
"Winning in Planica is something special, because
this is the biggest hill in the world. I hope the weather will be better in the
coming two days," Schlierenzauer said after his win.
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Winner Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria (C) holds his trophy as he celebrates on the podium with second placed Adam Malysz of Poland (L) and third placed Dimitry Vassiliev of Russia after the FIS World Cup ski jumping competition in Planica March 20, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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Schlierenzauer posted his 13th win of the season,
breaking the record of Finland's Janne Ahonen who made it to 12 in the 2004/05
season. He has also secured victory in the special ski-flying World Cup
rankings.
Poland's Adam Malysz made it to 202.5 meters (195.5
points) to grab the second place and Dimitry Vassiliev of Russia was third in
200.5 meters (193.6).
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Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria gets airborne during his jump at the FIS World Cup ski jumping competition in Planica March 20, 2009.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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The organizers and jumpers were struggling with harsh
conditions on Friday. Strong wind blew away the trial round and led to repeated
breaks in the final round, which also had to be cut short because of darkness.
A team event is scheduled in Planica on Saturday and
another individual meet on Sunday for the finals of the ski jumping World Cup.
The Planica hill has traditionally been home to the longest ski jumping in history. The world record of 239 meters was set there in 2005 by Norway's Bjoern Einar Romoeren.
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Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria gets airborne during his jump at the FIS World Cup ski jumping competition in Planica March 20, 2009.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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