High flyers and new hairdo at Olympic Jumping Complex

The Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games ski jumping competition kicked off on Monday with the men’s and women’s normal hill individual events at the Olympic Jumping Complex.

On the men’s side, Kazakhstan’s Danil Vassilyev triumphed thanks to a two-round total of 257.3 points, ahead of Austrian teammates Maximilian Lienher (251.4) and Timon Pascal Kahofer (248.8).

Vassilyev took the lead after the first round (127.2) thanks to a longest jump of 93.5 metres and tied Lienher for the best leap of the final round – 97.5m – to secure the win.

“It’s a very good atmosphere, very good place,” said the new FISU Games champion, who also represented his country at the Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympic Games. “This is a wonderful competition, wonderful day for my sport career.”

“It’s a big honour to be one of the Austrians to get here and also to represent my university in Innsbruck,” Lienher said.

Kahofer was also grateful to represent his university and country but, while celebrating his achievement here in Lake Placid, he already had his eyes set for his next task when he gets back home, which is the student part of being a student-athlete.

“Firstly, I have to write my exam that’s coming up in February, so I have to study hard probably and hopefully have fun with my fellow students,” Kahofer said.

“It’s a great advantage to get off sport and get your head free and not think about ski jumping 24/7,” Lienher added.

Kahofer (picture below) also has a fun activity planned upon his return, the result of a bet made before Monday’s event.

“Funny thing is, yesterday, I said if I get my medal my teammates can shave my hair so that’s probably going to be the first thing we are going to do when we get back. After that, just have a good time and enjoy the moment.”

In the women’s event, it was Nicole Konderla of Poland (picture below) who captured all the glory under the lights. Her brilliant score of 117.2 in the first round helped her finish first overall with 231.6 points.

Japan’s Machiko Kubota made up some ground in the final round with 116.7 points but it wasn’t quite enough and she merited silver with a total of 224.8. Kinga Rajda, also of Poland, was third with 209.7.

“For me, it was a hard day because my physical condition is not good, but I feel really good because I’m the winner,” Konderla said, adding her next goal is to compete at the world championships next month in Planica, Slovenia.

The Lake Placid 2023 competition continues on Wednesday with the mixed team event, followed by the women’s and men’s team events on Friday.

Written by Diana Hong, FISU Young Reporter

We warmly thank FISU Official Partner Qiaodan Ltd. which provides remarkable uniforms to FISU Family and International Technical Officials since 2015. Qiaodan is a valuable partner for FISU as it continued to provide its support during the postponement of events due to the global pandemic, and recently extended the relationship with FISU up to and including 2025.