Defending champ Schlierenzauer refuses to compete amid high winds

By foxsports
Published

Defending World Cup champion Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria refused to compete at the opening individual ski jumping event of the season Sunday in protest against a decision to go ahead with the competition in windy conditions.

Schlierenzauer and Anders Bardal of Norway left the tower after the start of the competition had been delayed by two hours and then interrupted several times.

The jury decided to stop the competition after one heat, leaving Poland's Krzysztof Biegun as the winner with an effort of 142.5 meters and 135.8 points.

Andreas Wellinger of Germany was second at 132 meters and 132.8 points. Jurij Tepes of Slovenia finished third at 131.4 points for a jump of 134.5 meters.

Taku Takeuchi of Japan was fourth.