Russians, Japanese shine in FIS World Cup events

World
Europe

01:54

Rioyu Kobyashi earned his fifth victory of the season at the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup in Oberstdorf, Germany on Sunday, becoming the first Japanese man in more than 20 years to win the opening leg of the Four Hills ski jumping competition.

A massive 138.5-meter jump in the first round which was four meters longer than other competitors put Kobayashi firmly in control at the halfway stage. Austria's Stefan Kraft's second jump earned him 145.7 points, contributing to his final tally of 280.5 points.

Meanwhile, home favorite Markus Eisenbichler finished the first jump with a score of 144.5 points and his second attempt landed him 137.4 points.

Japan's Ryoyu Kobayashi takes the first place during an event in Oberstdorf, Germany, December 30. /VCG Photo

Kobayashi had to beat 126.5 meters in the second round, which he made. The 22-year-old picked up his fifth victory in eight competitions of the new campaign, thanks to a points-haul of 282.3 overall. Eisenbichler was second with Kraft in the third position.

Elsewhere, in the women's 10-kilometer at the FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Toblach, Natalia Nepryeva took the lead after the second intermediate, and looked on the way to a comfortable win as she built a four-second gap over Ingvilid Oestberg midway through.

In the last five kilometers, the Russian lost most of her advantage, but still went on to clinch the victory in 23 minutes and 19.9 seconds. Norway's Oestberg ended in the second place, with Anastasia Sedova claiming the third position.

Later, in the men's 15-kilometer event, Russia's Sergey Ustigov came out on the top after crossing the finish line in 30 minutes and 34.1 seconds.

Norwegian Simen Hegstad Krueger finished 12.2 seconds behind and ensured second place for his team. Russia's Alexander Bolshunov settled at the third place in 30 minutes and 56 seconds.