ATOMIC RACE Jump – sensational Opening at the “Nordic Triple”
Romoeren & Loitzl: the two Speed-Stars win in the in-run in Kuusamo.
Two victories, a third place – what a jump into the Olympic winter for the ATOMIC-ski jumping stars! Bjoern Einar Romoeren wins the first World Cup event, the experienced Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV) athlete Wolfgang Loitzl places third in the most difficult wind conditions. The day before, the ATOMIC star got first place in the team competition with the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV) team. In cross-country, a fall of shooting star Marthe Kristoffersen prevents a top finish in the ladies’ 10 km competition, in the men’s 15 km race Norwegian Jens Arne Svartedal runs to rank 8 on a completely new ATOMIC Featherlight. “Jumping ok, skiing increasable”, is the conclusion for the ATOMIC-Combiners Christoph Bieler and Willi Denifl.
What ATOMIC Nordic Director Roman Toferer had predicted for the “Nordic Triple” in Kuusamo, really became reality: The ATOMIC ski jumpers will be among the top favorites in the Olympic season. Above all – even if a little surprising – Bjoern Einar Romoeren. He had prematurely ended his last season because of a form crisis – but now: a victory in champion manner. 139 meters in both rounds, a margin of roughly 9 points ... Wolfgang Loitzl secured the first podium finish for the ATOMIC Nordic Team the day before: with the ÖSV team’s victory in the team competition. On Saturday he lives up his great shape: third place in the most difficult wind conditions. „The result of the first two jumping competitions is just sensational from our perspective. In the team competition alone, you can find six ATOMIC jumpers among the top 4 teams!“, Roman Toferer says euphorically after the season opener.
Loitzl fastest in the „gluey“ in-run on the ATOMIC RACE Jump
And with a good cause: Due to the difficult conditions Kuusamo had been an important indicator for the ATOMIC equipment set-up. Changing winds at all times – especially before Loitzl’s decisive second round jump – fresh snow, a “gluey” in-run. But Wolfgang Loitzl and the ATOMIC service team adjust to the difficult conditions: 93,1 km/h – like so many times before Loitzl notes the fastest in-run speed on the ATOMIC Space Jump. Perfect telemark, third place, he made his best out of the difficult conditions. Powered by ATOMIC also the Norwegian winner Bjoern Einar Romoeren. The world record holder in ski flying sails to 139 and 139.5 meters – his long time off and preparation time had made him stronger. Also Martin Schmitt: rank 13 in the individual jumping, second place in the team competition. Janne Ahonen didn’t qualify for the final round at his comeback.
How the other ATOMIC-Athletes performed at the “Nordic Triple”
A fortunate day doesn’t look like this: After Anna Haag, third in the first World Cup cross-country race in Beitostoelen, had to cancel her start in Kussamo on short notice because of a bad cold, ATOMIC shooting star Marthe Kristoffersen falls in the 10 km race on the way to a possible top result. After all place 8 for Jens Arne Svartedal. „Jens entered the race on a completely new ATOMIC Featherlight – so 8th place is not just a very good result, it has also brought us very important insight in terms of the equipment.“, ATOMIC Nordic Director Roman Toferer analyzes the Norwegian’s effort. With the conclusion “Jumping ok, skiing increasable”, the combiners are leaving Kuusamo: Christoph Bieler finishes the two nordic competitions in 16th and 17th place, respectively, Willi Denifl is able to increase his performance considerably from the first to the second competition and finishes 13th on Sunday. Next week ski jumpers and combiners are moving to Lillehammer, the alternative venue for the World Cup competitions originally scheduled for Trondheim.