January 13, 2008 (Predazzo, Italy) – Norway’s Tom Hilde picked up his first victory Saturday night when relentless rain shortened an e.on Ruhrgas World Cup large hill jumping to one round of competition. The 20-year-old Hilde jumped 130.5 metres – a half-metre longer than teammate Sigurd Pettersen – and received 133.9 points. Pettersen was second (133.5 points) with Austrian Wolfgang Loitzl in third place with 132.7 points from his 129m jump. World Cup leader Thomas Morgenstern of Austria was fourth. No North Americans competed.

“This is a great day for me,” Hilde said. “Of course, I was a bit lucky, but it was not only luck. I had a good jump.” Pettersen said the rain was an issue, “but this was a competition like others. Ski jumping is still an outdoor sport.” He praised the organizers for excellent hill preparation despite the downpour. Another large hill (134m) event is scheduled Sunday.

Full results here.