Yuki Ito triumphs in Sapporo for second victory of season, World Cup leader Nika Prevc finishes disappointing 10th

BySportsbeat

Published 14/01/2024 at 16:05 GMT

Japanese ski jumper Yuki Ito tasted success in Sapporo, the site of her maiden victory, which came exactly seven years previously. Ito's score of 129.5 metres was enough to take the win after finishing with a total of 230.1 points. The podium was completed by Katharina Schmid and Nika Kriznar. Nika Prevc still leads the way in the overall World Cup standings, but could only come 10th.

SAPPORO, JAPAN - JANUARY 14: Yuki Ito of Japan competes during the Large Hill of the FIS Women's Ski Jumping Sapporo at Okurayama Jump Stadium on January 14, 2024 in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)

Image credit: Getty Images

Yuki Ito delighted home fans as she took her second FIS Ski Jumping World Cup victory of the season on the large hill in Sapporo.

The 29-year-old took her very first World Cup win seven years ago to the day in Sapporo and was back on top here.

Ito came fifth on Saturday but quickly set out her stall, with a jump of 124.5 metres in the first round to lead the way by 2.2 points from Canada's Alexandria Loutitt.

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And while Norway's Silje Opseth produced the longest jump of the day, with 132 metres at her second attempt, Ito was able to seal victory in style, with her 129.5 metres enough to secure the best score of the second round as well as she finished on 230.1 points.

Germany's Katharina Schmid took second, 6.1 points back, with Slovenia's Nika Kriznar completing the podium.

Meanwhile, World Cup leader Nika Prevc could only finish tenth and saw her lead at the top of the standings cut to 69 points from Ito, with France's Josephine Pagnier 12 points back from the Japanese athlete in third.

The action stays in Japan with three events on the normal hill in Zao starting next Friday.

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