Morgenstern Edges Ahonen in Ski Jumping Qualifying
Austria's Thomas Morgenstern, who was prequalified for the large hill ski jumping final, had a jump of 136 meters during yesterday's qualifying.
(By Rick Bowmer -- Associated Press)
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Austria's Thomas Morgenstern had superior style to edge Finland's Janne Ahonen during yesterday's large hill ski jumping qualifying event.
Morgenstern and Ahonen had jumps of 136 meters on the large hill, but Morgenstern's superior form earned him 136.8 points to Ahonen's 136.3.
"If I can do the same thing tomorrow, I think I have a good shot at a medal," said Morgenstern, who is sixth in the World Cup standings. "I'm in pretty good shape but what matters is what happens tomorrow."
Ahonen is seeking his first individual Olympic medal.
Austria's Andreas Kofler was third with 133.8 points after a leap of 133.5 meters.
The top 15 jumpers in the World Cup standings, including Morgenstern and Ahonen, were prequalified and jumped to test the hill and the conditions.
Norway's Lars Bystoel, who won the normal hill event on Sunday, was sixth with 129.2 points.
World Cup leader Jakub Janda of the Czech Republic continues to struggle and finished in 12th place with 112.7 points after a jump of 124 meters.
Defending Olympic large hill champion Simon Ammann of Switzerland had a jump of 124 meters to finish 19th overall with 111.7 points.
Alan Alborn was the only American to qualify with a jump of 111.5 meters for 86.7 points.
Ski Jumping Large Hill Qualifying Top Five 1. Noriaki Kasai, Japan 2. Sigurd Pettersen, Norway 3. Michael Neumayer, Germany 4. Simon Ammann, Switzerland 5. Dmitry Vassiliev, Russia U.S. Team 21. Alan Alborn (Top 35 qualify for final) 39. Clint Jones 42. Tommy Schwall 47. Jim Denney Next Event Today, large hill final (NBC, 8-11:30 p.m.)
