Pinkelnig in second place in Rasnov, Mühlbacher surprised

At half-time, the Vorarlberg native was on course for her seventh win of the season, but ultimately had to admit defeat to Katharina Althaus. The German jumped like unleashed in the second round and, thanks to the clear day’s maximum distance of 98.5 meters, was finally 12.4 points ahead of Pinkelnig.

In the absence of the other ÖSV aces Chiara Kreuzer and Sara Marita Kramer, who had not traveled to Romania for the World Championships in Planica next week, third place went to Norway’s Eirin Maria Kvandal. The 18-year-old Julia Mühlbacher from Upper Austria was the second best ÖSV athlete and was happy about seventh place and by far her best career placement in the World Cup. Jaqueline Seifriedsberger was ninth, Hannah Wiegele 29th.

“Another podium finish, it’s unbelievable,” said Pinkelnig, despite losing her lead at half-time. “Congratulations Katharina, the second jump was unbelievable. It was another perfect team effort from us.” ÖSV head coach Harald Rodlauer argued similarly: “It was very, very successful for us. As a team we can be very satisfied, also with the individual performances.”

The next competition is scheduled for Saturday (10:00 a.m.) on the same hill. It’s the last one before the World Ski Jumping Championships, which begins next Thursday.