Prevc soars to twelfth World Cup win of the season with Ski Flying victory in Kulm

Double Olympic champion Domen Prevc (SLO) continued his winning ways, claiming victory at the season’s first Ski Flying World Cup in Kulm, Austria, on Saturday.

The Slovenian finished 1.1 points ahead of home favourite Stephan Embacher (AUT), while Jonas Schuster (AUT) secured third place for his first-ever World Cup podium. 

It marks Prevc’ fifth World Cup win in a row and his twelfth of the season, further extending his advantage at the top of the Crystal Globe leaderboard.

With nine events left to go, Prevc holds a 693-point-lead over Ryoyu Kobayashi (JPN) in the overall standings. Prevc could already claim his first overall Crystal Globe in Kulm on Sunday if results go his way to round off a phenomenal 12 months. 

Prevc moved up from second to first place thanks to a superb second-round jump, travelling 228.5m and scoring 221.9 points to overhaul top qualifier Embacher, who had led after the opening round with 223m and 217.6 points.

A mere 1.1 points separated the two overall, with Prevc scoring a combined total of 433.0 points. Schuster, meanwhile, gave the home fans plenty to cheer about as he celebrated his maiden World Cup podium on home snow, scoring 401.1 points.

"This is really cool", Schuster said afterward. "Since the first jumps yesterday, everything has gone super well for me. I took that feeling with me and have continued my form. I'm super happy with this result, it's insane. I'm already looking forward to tomorrow as well, I'll take it jump for jump and will see where it will get me."

Daniel Tschofenig rose from 13th to fourth, whle Maximilian Ortner finished in fifth, rounding out a top five that featured four Austrians.

Philipp Raimund (GER) took sixth place, just ahead of Gregor Deschwanden (SUI) and Ryoyu Kobayashi (JPN). 

The men's competition continues on Sunday, with the Ski Flying World Cup scheduled at 13.30.

The women compete in Hinzenbach, Austria, this weekend.