Austria's Loitzl wins classic ski jumping meet

Source: Agencies | January 3, 2009, Saturday |

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WOLFGANG Loitzl of Austria captured his first World Cup victory on Thursday by winning the second leg of the prestigious Four Hills ski jumping tournament in Germany.

Loitzl, who finished second in the first leg in Oberstdorf on Monday, had jumps of 134.5 and 136.5 meters in the annual New Year's Day meet for a total of 276.3 points.

Overall World Cup leader Simon Ammann of Switzerland was second with 274.6 points after jumps of 140 and 134.5 meters.

"This is like Easter and Christmas together," said Loitzl, who turns 29 on January 13 but had never won an individual World Cup event despite nine podium finishes since 2001. "I knew the deficit to Simon was pretty far and I knew it would be tough. But the second jump was great and I got some good values from the judges."

Loitzl leads the Four Hills tournament with 562 points, just one ahead of Ammann with two meets left.

"I am in the form of my life and I believe I can win the tournament," Loitzl said.

Harri Olli of Finland was third followed by a trio of Austrians in Gregor Schlierenzauer, Martin Koch and Thomas Morgenstern as the jumpers dealt with ever-changing weather conditions on the slopes in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Ammann extended his lead in the overall World Cup standings with 765 points, 155 ahead of Schlierenzauer. Loitzl is third with 539.

"I really attacked on the first jump and the second was a bit unstable," Ammann said. "But I am satisfied. I am in good position for the rest of the tournament."

The Four Hills tournament wraps up with meets in Innsbruck, Austria, today and Bischofshofen, Austria, on Monday.

Skiing

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Austria's Loitzl wins classic ski jumping meet

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