■Nathan Shiga: January 20

The Japanese girls outjumped their rivals in the World Cup in Women’s Team Ski Jump for the second time following their triumph in Germany last month. The Japanese team comprises Japan’s participants in the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympics – Sara Takanashi, Yuki Itoh, Yuka Seto and Kaori Iwabuchi.

In the first round, Yuka Seto jumped second to mark 85.50m and Sara Takanashi jumped last with 93m to lead the race. Japan retained the lead throughout the second round, Sara Takanashi registering 89m for the total points of 761.7, over 50 points ahead of seven other teams.

Slovenia placed second following by Russia third.

Kaori Iwabushi, the first jumper of age 24, comments:

“It was the first time I’ve ever jumped first. I wasn’t too nervous thanks to my juniors. There are lots of things I should learn from today’s jump to prepare for the World Cup and the Olympics.”

Yuka Seto said she was happy to have placed 8th in the individual jump the previous day and felt confident to do better tomorrow in Zao.

Yuki Itoh jumped third and marked the longest jump in the second round comments:

“I’ve always jumped first and that was my first time to jump third. My mates managed to keep the lead ahead of me to help me pass the baton smoothly to Sara. I’m happy to share the joy of winning a world cup with our people back home in Japan.”

Sara Takanashi regretted she was not quite at her best today and thanked her mates for their support. She looks for her 54th win in individual jump tomorrow – the most in the history of world cup.

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