Ammann becomes first Swiss to win FIS Grand Prix

Simon Ammann (SUI)
Photo: Horst Nilgen

The FIS Grand Prix Ski Jumping continued in Hakuba (JPN) last weekend. In the two Asian competitions, host nation Japan delivered impressive team performances on both days, including victory on Saturday, whilst Slovenia took its first victory this summer on Sunday. After the veteran Noriaki Kasai was best in the first event, it was Robert Kranjec’s turn in the second competition. Interestingly, jumpers from five different nations have claimed victory in the eight individual FIS GP competitions held so far.

By ranking third on both days, including setting a new hill record on Saturday, Simon Ammann of Switzerland secured his overall victory in the Grand Prix summer series with one compsetition remaining. With 537 points he has a lead of 140 points over Kranjec before the final competition in Klingenthal (GER) on 3rd October. He commented: “I only achieved some of my goals here in Hakuba. Whilst I did secure the overall title in the FIS Grand Prix as the first Swiss to do so, my jumps here were not good enough. There is still some work to do until the FIS World Cup begins in Kuusamo."

Seven nations have already earned the Grand Prix title in its 16 year history. Norway is the only "big" Ski Jumping nation missing from the list while Austria is the only team with four different winners. Adam Malysz (POL) holds the individual record with three overall victories.

Sunday’s competition in Hakuba also put the new rules being piloted during the GP to a good test. In the first round, Japan’s Ito jumped 134m, which is a few meters over the hill size. As a result, the jury reduced the inrun length for Kranjec and Ammann who received bonus points. Previously the jury would have needed to either risk the health of the top athletes or restart the entire round.
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