Kuusamo SJ: Morgenstern wins opening meet

Thomas Morgenstern won the first World Cup individual jump of the season on Saturday, beating two Norwegians in the large hill event.

KUUSAMO, Finland — Thomas Morgenstern won the first World Cup individual jump of the season on Saturday, beating two Norwegians in the large hill event.
    Competing under the lights in one of circuit's northernmost venues, the Austrian set a hill record in the opening round with a leap of 146.5 meters and then hit 137 as the last jumper in the final round for a total of 308.8 points.
    Morgenstern was not sure he had won, anxiously looking at the scoreboard before rejoicing when the numbers came up.
    Moments after Morgenstern broke the hill record, teammate Gregor Schlierenzauer bettered it by half a meter. He eventually finished fourth.
    Bjorn Einar Romoren finished second with 306.6 points after jumps of 143 and 139 meters. Tom Hilde placed third with 298.9 points after rides of 142 and 138.5 meters.
    The second round had a lower start gate.
    Defending overall champion Adam Malysz of Poland only managed 16th.

    — The Associated Press