OBERSTDORF, Germany (AP) — Former champion Anders Jacobsen of Norway mastered tricky wind conditions to win the opening stage of the prestigious Four Hills ski jumping competition Sunday.
Jacobsen had the top points total in both jumps to win comfortably ahead of defending champion and World Cup leader Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria. Severin Freund of Germany was third.
Jacobsen put together jumps of 138 meters and 139 meters and benefited from good tactical decisions from his coaches, who lowered his starting gate in the second heat, giving him a bigger points bonus.
The Norwegian won the Four Hills Tour in 2007. Jacobsen sat out last season.
The 2010 tour winner, Thomas Morgenstern of Austria, failed to qualify for the second heat after getting hit by unfavorable wind.
