Soaring above

Germany's Hannawald leads ski jump qualifying

Sven Hannawald of Germany led the 90-meter qualifying. AP

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) -- Germany's Sven Hannawald, favored to win the gold medal, was in first place after qualifying Sunday in the 90-meter ski jump.

Hannawald, who last month became the first jumper ever to sweep the prestigious Four Hills tournament in Europe, jumped 97.5 meters on his attempt and finished with 133 points.

Simon Ammann of Switzerland was second with a jump of 97.5 meters and 132 points.

Poland's Adam Malysz had the longest jump of the round -- 98.5 meters -- but received just 51 style points from the judges and was third.

American Alan Alborn, of Anchorage, Alaska, who is hoping to end a 78-year American medal drought in ski jumping, went 90.5 meters and had 114.5 points.

Brendan Doran of Heber City, Utah, also qualified.

Clint Jones of Steamboat Springs, Colo., and Brian Welch of Scarborough, Maine, failed to qualify for the final round.

The qualifying round was originally scheduled for Friday -- the first event of the Salt Lake City Games -- but was canceled when winds gusting to more than 50 mph made it unsafe for jumping.

Sunday's weather was ideal, with sunny skies and calm winds. A sellout crowd of 21,000 was expected to attend the final.

 

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