Ajda Kosnjek gave an impressive welcome to the international FIS Cup competitions. The only 14-year-old Slovenian, who made her debut in the series yesterday, recorded her first career victory today in Szczyrk. The second place went to Canada’s Abigail Strate, just like yesterday, and the podium was rounded off by Poland’s Nicole Konderla, who is performing very well on Skalite (HS-104).
Even in the trial round, Slovenia’s Nika Prevc (91.0 m), who was almost the clear favourite for the win yesterday, was in the lead. Second place was strongly held by Abigail Strate (91.5 m) and the top three were completed by Nicole Konderla (89.5 m). In addition, the top six were rounded off by Kinga Rajda (89.5 m).
Najlepsze zawodniczki niedzielnego konkursu FIS Cup w Szczyrku
Ajda Kosnjek
Abigail Strate
Nicole Konderla
___#teamPoland #polishskijumpingteam #skijumpingfamily #skokinarciarskie #skijumping #PolskiZwiązekNarciarski #pzn #FISskijumping #FISCup #Szczyrk pic.twitter.com/3LR2iuqZi5— Polski Związek Narciarski (@pzn_pl) August 21, 2022
However, the competition brought a slightly different outcome, at least in terms of triumph. A surprising lead after the first round was taken by young Ajda Kosnjek, who jumped 97 metres despite a strong tailwind (1.15 m/s). Impressively, the Slovenian withstood the pressure of her debut and took a sensational win in the final round with a jump on 96.5 metres. Canadian Olympic medallist Abigail Strate, on the other hand, maintained her second place already occupied at the halfway stage. With jumps of 101.5 and 98 metres (with less tailwind), the 21-year-old secured her fifth FIS Cup podium of her career.
‼️Mamy podium
Nicole Konderla ponownie 3️⃣w zawodach FIS Cup w Szczyrku
Punkty zdobyły również: 15.Anna Twardosz, 20.Pola Bełtowska, 23.Paulina Cieślar, 24.Kamila Karpiel, 25.Natalia Słowik, 27.Kinga Rajda.
Poza “30”: 32.Sara Tajner, 34.Joanna Kil i 35.Olivia Brenkus. pic.twitter.com/GZZP45HRd3
— Polski Związek Narciarski (@pzn_pl) August 21, 2022
Also, the current leader of the Polish team, Nicole Konderla, continued her great run. The 20-year-old trainee of head coach Szczepan Kupczak was fourth after the first round with a jump of 98.5 metres. In the second round, she jumped 96.5 metres and, as it turned out later, it was a jump that secured her third place and the second FIS competition podium of her career. From third place after the first round, yesterday’s winner, Austrian Hannah Wiegele (96.0 / 91.0 m), dropped to sixth. Once again, the fourth place went to the favourite of the competition, Slovenian junior world champion Nika Prevc (97.5 / 95.0 m). In addition, her compatriot Taja Bodlaj (90.5 / 96.0 m) finished in the top six.