Ilkka Herola in top form: jumped the longest jump of the day

Fresh Olympic medalist Ilkka Herola continued his strong performance as the combined men returned to action in the Austrian Corners. It is the first time in history that men compete in the World Cup on a flying hill.

The reserve race jumped on Thursday went excellently for Herola. His jump of 221 meters was the longest of the competition and earned him second place. Only connected half a meter shorter Johannes Lamparter beat Herola on style points.

Other Finns in the reserve competition Eero Hirvonen finished ninth and Otto Niittykoski 17: her.

Just in the recently concluded Milan–Cortina Olympics, Herola won two medals: silver in the team competition together with Hirvonen and bronze in the suurmäki competition. The medals were the first of his career for the 30-year-old from Siilinjärvi.

The actual hill race of the Kulm World Cup will be jumped on Friday at 10 a.m. The skiing part starts at 4 p.m.