February 13, 2010 (Whistler, BC) – Simon Ammann of Switzerland has won the first gold
2010 Olympic Ski Jumping Normal Hill Final Report
North America seems to be the right spot for peak performances by world class ski jumper Simon Ammann (SUI). In fitting style the 28-year-old Swiss athlete won his third Olympic gold medal on Saturday at Whistler Olympic Park – the first two medals were earned in Salt Lake City eight years ago. He aslo earned the distinction as the first gold medal winner of the XXI Winter Olympic Games.
“This is insane,” said Ammann when asked how he was feeling. But is it really that unbelievable? Ammann has been one of the top ski jumpers over the past two years and leads the FIS World Cup overall standings with five wins under his belt so far this season – so no surprise at all really.
His supremacy was clear at the first ski jumping competition of the 2010 Olympic Games. Ammann was in first place after the first round and nailed the final as well – with 105 and 108 meter jumps – the longest jumps in both rounds. His 276.5 point total was untouchable. “I have no words to describe the situation. It’s crazy, I tried so hard and I focused so much on the competitions here. But everyone here is at their best,” said the 2010 Games first gold medal winner.
Well said, Simon. Poland’s Adam Malysz, third on the Normal Hill and second on the Large Hill at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, performed at highest levels as well. His 103.5meter first round jump landed him in third, and in the final the East European skier improved to 105 meters scoring 269.5 points to capture the silver ahead of top Austrian jumper, Gregor Schlierenzauer. “My jumps were good,” said Malysz, “and I’m happy to have won silver. Most perfect would have been gold, but Simon Ammann is very strong. I’m not young anymore, so this is a very important medal.”
Schlierenzauer, the young superstar from Austria, attending his first Olympic Games, was 7th after the first jump of 101.5 meters but gathered momentum in the final round with 106.5 meters and 268 points for the bronze medal. He’s a favourite on the Large Hill with Ammann saying, “I’m feeling good. I can’t describe it really. Dreams are coming true, hopefully more as the Games go on.”
Germany’s Michael Uhrmann in second at half time with a 103.5m jump, had a poor second round performance reaching102 meters in the final round for 262.5 points good enough for 5th place.
Slovenia’s 17-year-old, Peter Prevc, the youngest of the ski jumpers in the competition, scored a surprising 7th place finish. Prevc has not previously competed at the World Championships or Olympics, and is 41st overall on the World Cup.
The three American jumpers who put on a fine show to make the qualifications on Friday were unable to repeat their performance and advance to the final round. Nicolas Alexander (93.5 m/106.5) and Peter Frenette (93.0 m/106.5 points) ended up tied in 41st while Anders Johnson (86.5 m/92.5) finished in 49th. Only the top 30 jumpers advance to the final medal round. Canada’s four jumpers did not advance past Friday’s qualifications.
Final results here.
Results (brief)
1. Simon Ammann (SUI) 276.5
2. Adam Malysz (POL) 269.5
3. Gregor Schlierenzauer (AUT) 268.0
41T. Nicholas Alexander (USA) 106.5
41T. Peter Frenette (USA) 106.5
49. Anders Johnson (USA) 92.5