Carina Vogt regains world ski jump title in dramatic finish

Published Feb. 24, 2017 2:09 p.m. ET

LAHTI, Finland (AP) Carina Vogt regained her world women's ski jump title Friday in dramatic style as her main rival fell short with the final jump.

The German had gone two years without a win and was third ahead of the final round. She moved up to second when Japan's Sara Takanashi couldn't match Vogt's 96.5-meter leap, and then into top spot when first-round leader Maren Lundby of Norway managed only 91 meters.

Vogt burst into tears as Lundby's result was announced. Since her last world title win in 2015, her best individual results were two second-place finishes in World Cup series events earlier this month.

Vogt's winning score from two jumps was 254.6 points, two points ahead of second-placed Yuki Ito of Japan, who climbed from fourth to second in the final round. Takanashi could only manage third on 251.1 - a further major-championship disappointment in a career which has brought four World Cups, including this season's, but never an individual gold medal at a world championships or Olympics.

Lundby's poor final jump meant she missed the medals in fourth.

Earlier, Johannes Rydzek retained his Nordic combined world title as he led a German podium sweep in the men's individual normal hill event on Friday.

Rydzek was second to fellow German Eric Frenzel after the ski jumping stage, and started the cross-country with a 14-second disadvantage, but swiftly closed up to Frenzel and began to open up a lead after halfway.

Rydzek cheered and waved a German flag as he crossed the line 14.9 seconds ahead of 2014 Olympic champion Frenzel.

Bjoern Kircheisen rounded out the all-German podium 15.1 seconds later.

The result means Germany has won the individual normal hill event at the last three editions of the world championships going back to 2013.