Raw Air triumph

Double lead for our eagles in Vikersund flying

Daniel Huber

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Stefan Kraft not only secured his third major World Cup globe on Sunday with a victory and a second place, but also won the "Raw Air" for the third time. After the 30-year-old from Salzburg's ÖSV double victory in the first Vikersund competition in the morning ahead of Daniel Huber, the result was reversed in the grand final with three runs and Huber won ahead of Kraft. Kraft now has 13 wins this season.

The Austrians clearly left their mark on the ski flying in Vikersund. The last raw air competition in the afternoon was held in three rounds (first top 30, then top 20 and top ten). After the quadruple victory in Trondheim, Kraft and Huber ensured a double ÖSV victory in one day.

"Hubsi was unbeatable now"
"I am very happy. Hubsi was unbeatable now. I'm very relieved, it was a really cool day," said a delighted Kraft, who secured his third big globe on Sunday, his third overall victory in the Raw Air (and thus 40,000 euros in additional prize money) and his 13th win of the season.

Stefan Kraft

(Bild: Geir Olsen / NTB)

"The Raw Air was more exhausting because we even had three rest days, but it was much harder on the mind. Kobayashi and Wellinger were in my head a lot. I wasn't the easiest Stefan, but I've been able to enjoy it now," summed up a happy Kraft.

Huber, who celebrated his second World Cup victory after many setbacks and injuries following second place in the morning (only one run), was also happy. "Sensational, especially with three flights it's worth even more," he said when asked about the fact that he has now even left his good friend Kraft behind. "It was a perfect day for the two of us. My second World Cup win and second place and a third place in the Raw Air with one jump less - that's not bad either," Huber alluded to Oslo.

A week ago, as the raw air leader, he was allowed into the inrun in very poor conditions and missed out on round two. "I don't regret it at all, if I had gotten a second jump, I would probably have come second," he told ORF.

Now it's off to Planica for the season finale, which Kraft in particular can take it easy after the tension of the past few weeks. He has already secured his third overall World Cup crown in Norway, where he set the ski flying world record seven years ago.