Germany’s Severin Freund won the first leg of the prestigious Four Hills ski jumping tournament on Tuesday much to the delight of the tens of
ADVERTISEMENTGermany’s Severin Freund won the first leg of the prestigious Four Hills ski jumping tournament on Tuesday much to the delight of the tens of thousands of his compatriots that had turned out for the opener in Oberstdorf.
Freund was trailing in fifth place after a first jump of 126 metres but he mastered the windy conditions on his second attempt to post 137.5 meters and claim the win.
With the result he becomes the first German winner at this venue on the Four Hills Tour in 13 years.
Michael Hayboeck took second.
The Austrian, who was runner-up in the competition last season, soared to the longest jump of the day at 139 metres in the second heat.
His first effort was 130 metres but it’s not all about the distance as his style let him down somewhat as he had to settle for second best.
Overall world cup leader Peter Prevc had won the last three events on the world cup circuit and was leading in Oberstdorf after the first leg (129.5m).
But the Slovenian’s second effort (130m) wasn’t good enough to hold that lead leaving Freund to celebrate victory.
The second of four legs is on Friday in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.