February 19, 2010 (Whistler, BC) – Local fans were cheering loud as 6,387 paying spectators watched as two US and one Canadian ski jum
per made the qualifications for Saturday’s Large Hill competition at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games at Whistler Olympic Park.achieved 127.5m and 116.5 points which earned hi
m 28th place. Fellow US jumper Peter Frenette jumped 126.0m (113.8 points) which was good enough for 30th. And Canada’s Stefan Read placed 36th with 120.5m and 102.9 points – the top 40 advance.The best qualifiers were Japanese athletes Noriaki Kasai (142.5m/143.5 points) and Daiki Ito (139.5m/142.6 points). “I’m so happy that I got first place and I’m having good feelings about tomorrow. There are still some good jumpers tomorrow so I want to have my best jump,” said Kasai.
The best pre-qualified jumper (the top ten in the current FIS World Cup) was Normal Hill Olympic Champion Simon Ammann with (SUI) 140m, but the jury had lowered the gate before the best started to jump. No style points were given. Five-time Four Hill Tournament winner Janne Ahonen (FIN) achieved 126.5m. “Tomorrow, this will be my last chance to get an individual medal at Olympics. My feeling is good, we’ll see;” Ahonen said.
Anders Johnson (USA), Mackenzie Boyd-Clowes, and Trevor Morrice (both CAN) placed respectively 42nd, 45th and 49th and missed the access to tomorrow’s competition.