Nordic SkiingNordic Combined - Sapporo
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This morning in Sapporo was staged the first gundersen weekend, characterized by numerous and heavy absences. Indeed, the first three of the general classification, Johannes Rydzek, Eric Frenzel and Fabian Rießle, namely the winners of the first 17 races of the season, have already returned to Europe to better prepare the upcoming World Cup. Nevertheless, on the top step of the podium she waved the German flag with Björn Kircheisen.
Friday 10 February 2017 5 minutes reading time
After the jump segment the top positions were occupied by athletes home. Hisaki Nagamine, debut in the maximum circuit after a good test for the junior World Cup, has found a great leap from 136m, the longest of the day, finding little wind than their opponents.
Thus he kicked off the bottom with a lead of 27 '' over teammate Akito Watabe and 42 '' on the couple Taihei Kato and Björn Kircheisen. The German from the first meters has kept a high pace, going back to the Japanese who preceded him in just over a kilometer, and then remained in the lead with the greatest of Watabe brothers, since the nineteen Japanese failed to keep the step.
The Saxon conducted a test realized, always remaining in the opponent's wake without giving change. Only in the end the situation was resolved in favor of the Teutonic, he went to overtake Watabe last corner and then adjust it in the sprint. He thus gained the 17th victory of his career, three years after the last obtained in Almaty in February 2013.
Runner-Akito Watabe, very generous throughout the race, but once again beaten on the final straight, its Achilles heel. For the Japanese remains the best result, because so far it was only reached the third step of the podium on three occasions.
Third place for Mikko Kokslien, author of a great recovery from 17th place after the jump. The Norwegian way back on the podium after more than two years, when he was 2nd in Ramsau competition of December 2014.
Jacob Lange has been an awkward Scandinavian athlete, then finishing 4th, his best finish ever in the maximum circuit. The Teutonic revealed good growth and is slowly recovering after the injury suffered last season.
It 'came another good performance from Tim Hug, today 5th, ahead of the Japanese triptych Hideaki Nagai 6th, 7th and Takehiro Watanabe Yoshito Watabe 8th. The latter was truly amazing in the fund, historically weak point, having recovered 10 positions and by clocking the 4th time.
The top 10 was closed by the Austrians Wilhelm Denifl 9th ​​and Lukas Klapfer 10th, in front of Franz-Josef Paul Gerstgraser Rehrl 11th and 14th, again the author of the best performance on narrow skis. Hisaki Nagamine instead lost many positions, finally reaching 21 °.
Nothing changes in the overall standings, with the top spots in the ice view desertions. In head remains Johannes Rydzek (1390), followed by Eric Frenzel (1354) and Fabian Rießle (949). Recover a bit 'of land on the third place Akito Watabe (726) and Bjoern Kircheisen (640).
Next meeting scheduled in the night between Friday and Saturday, when at 2 o'clock will take place the jump, while the fund is scheduled for 5.30 am.
SAPPORO I - HS 134/10 KM1. Björn Kircheisen (GER) 25'59''32. Akito Watabe (JPN) in 0''73. KOKSLIEN Mikko (NOR) to 32''14. LANGE Jakob (GER) 34''15. TIM HUG (SUI) 39''86. NAGAI Hideaki (JPN) in 42''87. WATANABE Takehiro (JPN) 43''18. Yoshito Watabe (JPN) in 49''09. Wilhelm Denifl (AUT) to 50''810. Klapfer Lukas (AUT) to 57''9
Click here for the full results.
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Gundersen LH Male Sapporo (JPN)
Nordic Combined - Sapporo
Bjrn Kircheisen wins first gundersen Sapporo: German hegemony continues despite the absences
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