Austrian ski jumper wins World Cup in Slovenia

Austrian ski jumper wins World Cup in Slovenia

Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria celebrates on the podium after winning the FIS World Cup ski jumping competition in Planica March 20, 2009. Schlierenzauer won ahead of second placed Adam Malysz of Poland and third placed Dimitry Vassiliev of Russia.

BELGRADE, March 21 -- Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria won a ski jumping World Cup event at Planica in northwestern Slovenia on Friday, consolidating his status as the best ski jumper of the season.

The 19-year-old reigning ski jumping world champion won the event, which was reduced to one jump due to strong winds, with a feat of 203 meters (196.1 points), the Slovenian news agency STA reported.

"Winning in Planica is something special, because this is the biggest hill in the world. I hope the weather will be better in the coming two days," Schlierenzauer said after his win.

Winner Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria (C) holds his trophy as he celebrates on the podium with second placed Adam Malysz of Poland (L) and third placed Dimitry Vassiliev of Russia after the FIS World Cup ski jumping competition in Planica March 20, 2009.

Schlierenzauer posted his 13th win of the season, breaking the record of Finland's Janne Ahonen who made it to 12 in the 2004/05 season. He has also secured victory in the special ski-flying World Cup rankings.

Poland's Adam Malysz made it to 202.5 meters (195.5 points) to grab the second place and Dimitry Vassiliev of Russia was third in 200.5 meters (193.6).

Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria gets airborne during his jump at the FIS World Cup ski jumping competition in Planica March 20, 2009.

The organizers and jumpers were struggling with harsh conditions on Friday. Strong wind blew away the trial round and led to repeated breaks in the final round, which also had to be cut short because of darkness.

A team event is scheduled in Planica on Saturday and another individual meet on Sunday for the finals of the ski jumping World Cup.

The Planica hill has traditionally been home to the longest ski jumping in history. The world record of 239 meters was set there in 2005 by Norway's Bjoern Einar Romoeren.

Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria gets airborne during his jump at the FIS World Cup ski jumping competition in Planica March 20, 2009

Adam Malysz of Poland celebrates on the podium after the FIS World Cup ski jumping competition in Planica March 20, 2009. Malysz came in second after Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria who won and Dimitriy Vassiliev of Russia.

Dimitry Vassiliev of Russia celebrates on the podium after the FIS World Cup ski jumping competition in Planica March 20, 2009. Vassiliev placed third after Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria who won and Adam Malysz of Poland.
(Xinhua)