Champion Lanisek ‘shocked’ after securing World Cup yellow jersey

Two-time World champion Anze Lanisek (SLO) claimed the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup yellow jersey for the first time in his career following his first victory of the season on Falun’s Large Hill in Sweden. 

Lanisek achieved jumps of 129m and 128.5m to attain an overall score of 262.9 points, which was enough for victory, although he owed a degree of his success to the tricky conditions which impacted first round leader Stefan Kraft (AUT).

“I knew (he had done enough for victory) as soon as Stefan (Kraft) landed, but it was tricky conditions in the second round,” Lanisek told FIS.

“I’m obviously very happy I stayed calm, did good jumps and it was enough or the win today.”

“I didn’t expect the yellow bib today especially after the first round where Stefan did a great job, but I’ll take it and I’m really pleased and thankful because it’s ticking one of the boxes I wanted to achieve in my career.”

Kraft, who became attained the all-time FIS Ski Jumping World Cup points record through his Normal Hill victory 24 hours earlier, held an advantage of 5.3pts at the halfway stage of Wednesday’s contest after landing the longest jump of the day – 133m.

However, a second effort of 119m, the joint lowest of the round, saw him slip to ninth in the overall standing.

Kraft’s countryman Stephan Embacher (AUT) would still ensure their nation was represented on the podium, with the two-time World junior champion attaining the first individual World Cup top-three result of his career. 

He attained an overall score of 259.9pts, with reigning World champion Domen Prevc (SLO) claiming third (258.7), a result which was all the more impressive given the facial injury he sustained following a fall during training ahead of the race.

19-year-old Embacher was in sixth after the first round and although his second round jump looked a significant improvement a technical problem meant he had to wait several minutes before finding out just how impressive the effort had been. 

129m saw him rise four places to second and finish ahead of Prevc, as well as last season’s Crystal Globe winner Daniel Tschofenig (AUT) and double World silver medalist Jan Hoerl (AUT).

“I didn’t see the line when I landed, so I was confused and didn’t know how I had jumped, I thought maybe I was fourth, but was a really nice day and second is amazing,” said Embacher.

“The season has just start but I’m in good shape and I felt like if it (a podium finish) wasn’t here then it could maybe happen another time, but of course I’m proud that all of the hard work has paid off.”

Kraft will now leave the World Cup circuit and return home, with his wife due to give birth in the coming weeks.

The rest of the men’s field will head to Finland for the Ruka World Cup double, which takes place across 28-30 November.

The women’s field will begin their Falun (SWE) World Cup campaign on Friday.

FIS SKI JUMPING WORLD CUP – FALUN (SWE) SCHEDULE

28.11.2024
11:00 – QUA Women’s LH
15:45 – WC Women’s LH

29.11.2024
18:00 – QUA Women’s NH

30.11.2024
10:15 – WC Women’s NH

All times listed in CET and are subject to change.